Implied quantifiers?

When I hear someone make a statement sans quantifier, I assume a universal quantifier.

For example when I hear someone say "I love dogs", I take that to mean "I love all dogs" and not "I love some dogs".

Is that valid? Does lack of a quantifier imply a universal quantifier?

If someone answers yes or no, I'd appreciate a cite.

Solution 1:

“I love dogs” is offered as an example, and the opening statement does not restrict the no-quantifier-means-universal-quantifier thesis to the verb love. But everyone will agree that there is no implicit all in the following headline:

‘They might have guns, but we have flowers’: Video shows father reassuring son in wake of Paris attacks

It is not meant all guns or all flowers. But focussing on love now, I can think of lots of examples of the type I love X where people generally, and I most definitely, do not mean I love all X.

Shall we start with sex? When I hear someone say they love sex I take it to mean that sex is an activity they enjoy a lot, but I would never think they enjoy all sex.

I love books. I really do. Not all of them though. When I say I love books I mean reading books is one of my favourite activities, but I am actually quite selective as to the books I read.

And when people say they love dogs they do not necessarily mean they love all dogs. Perhaps some do. But most probably mean they like dogs in general, but would likely not love the neighbour’s dog that kept barking all night, or chasing their cat, etc.

Solution 2:

This is a case of a "sticking qualifier". The statement is a general statement, an overly basic sentence. Includes affection, with a specific word as the qualifier (love). Might even be a verb, as basic sentence composition would dictate.

In this case, the person loves dogs in general, but might not like x or y, or most. "Dogs" in this sentence is a singular object of affection, the plural form of the word dog.

Thus, there is no qualifier, but a sticking feeling thanks to generalizing. Akin to saying: I do things.

No, there is no qualifier there, implied or otherwise. One might try to play with undertones, or sarcasm, which would carry extra info, but since these are just characters on a screen, i don't hear it. It is valid, but instead of a qualifier, there is a missing sentence fragment. "I love dogs, in general./mostly"

"Does lack of a quantifier imply a universal quantifier?"

Depends on personal preference. Generally speaking, assume most.