Event-distributivity in L2 Acquisition: Korean EFL Learners’ Interpretation of English Universal Quantifiers Every and All

This study examines how Korean EFL learners interpret the English universal quantifiers every and all, focusing on event-distributivity, which is often overlooked in L2 acquisition research. While every N is inherently distributive, all N allows both distributive and collective readings depending on scope and syntactic position. Prior studies on L2 acquisition of distributivity have primarily analyzed these quantifiers through scope ambiguity, without fully addressing event-distributivity. To bridge this gap, an Acceptability Judgment Task was conducted with 39 Korean learners, examining their interpretation of (entity-)distributive, collective, and event-distributive readings. The results indicate that learners distinguish event-distributive interpretations from collective interpretations, which could otherwise be incorrectly derived through a simple scope-based analysis. The findings highlight the need for explicit instruction on event-distributivity to enhance learners’ understanding of universal quantifiers in English.