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This commentary evaluates a theoretical puzzle regarding Gricean exhaustification in communication.

July 9, 2026Open Access

Gricean views of exhaustification

WZWilliam ZumchakMcGill University BSBernhard SchwarzMcGill University

Key Points

This commentary evaluates a theoretical puzzle regarding Gricean exhaustification in communication.
Examined Fox's game show scenario to illustrate the cancellation of the maxim of Quantity.
Evaluated Westera's proposal of Attention-maxims in relation to Grice's original ideas.
Proposed two amendments to address gaps in the existing solution.
Identified that Westera’s solution does not fully reconcile with Grice’s original maxims.
Under proposed amendments, a different interpretation of exhaustification emerges.
Concluded that understanding exhaustification may require rethinking the relationship between Quantity and Quality.

Abstract

As a puzzle for the Gricean view of exhaustification, Fox (2014) describes a game show scenario where the maxim of Quantity is arguably canceled, but the use of a disjunctive sentence still invites an exclusivity inference. Westera (2022) proposes that this puzzle can be solved in an Attentional Pragmatics, where the Gricean maxims are supplemented with Attention-maxims. In this commentary, we identify a gap in Westera’s solution and propose two possible amendments. We point out that under either amendment, the resulting proposal requires a departure from Grice’s original view of exhaustification as arising from a clash between the maxims of Quantity and Quality. EARLY ACCESS

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