Julie Goncharov

There is a peculiar class of degree modifiers, represented by _very_ in English, that can occur in definite descriptions with no apparent gradable property, such as _the very man we saw yesterday_. These modifiers are commonly assumed to have the same mechanism of modification as regular degree modifiers, like _really_ and _extremely_. This paper argues that this assumption is fallacious. Modification by _very_ and its kin involves a special mechanism that crucially relies on the availability of a context shift of a particular kind. This special mechanism explains the appearance of _very_ in definite descriptions with no gradable properties and also accounts for a number of additional facts about the distribution of _very_.

Our sense of agency and ability to distinguish between intentional and accidental actions are fundamental for social interaction. They allow us to plan and perform joint actions and assign responsibility for our own actions and those of others. Research on the nature of agency and intentions has been very fruitful over the last few decades in philosophy, linguistics, and psychology. However, trully new discoveries could be made only when we engage in interdisciplinary discussions. This volume is the result of such discussions.