English Syntax And Argumentation

By (author) Aarts, Bas
Description:

This book provides a complete and detailed overview of modern English syntax, and offers a thorough grounding in the essentials of sentence structure and syntactic argumentation. Clear, accessible and comprehensive, it contains a wealth of material to support readers in consolidating their learning and knowledge at every step, from basic concepts to more advanced topics.

Now in its sixth edition, this textbook includes:
- fully updated chapters
- refreshed learning materials
- a fully revised glossary, list of reference works, and bibliography

Equipped with lists of key concept, exercises and further reading suggestions in each chapter, as well as a detailed answer key at the end of the book, this highly accessible, engaging and supportive text covers all the topics needed for a confident understanding of English syntax.

Table of contents:

Preface to the Sixth Edition
Part I: Grammatical Form and Grammatical Function
1. Introduction
2. Grammatical Form: Words, Word Classes and Phrases
3. Grammatical Function
4. More on Form: Clauses and Sentences
5. The Grammatical Form – Grammatical Function Interface
Part II: Elaboration
6. Predicates, Arguments and Thematic Roles
7. Cross-categorial Generalisations: X-bar Syntax
8. More on Clauses
9. Movement
10. Tense, Aspect and Mood
Part III: Argumentation
11. Syntactic Argumentation
12. Constituency: Movement and Substitution
13. Constituency: Some Additional Tests
14. Predicates and Arguments Revisited
Part IV: Application
15. Information Packaging
16. Grammatical Indeterminacy
17. Case Studies
Glossary
Reference Works: Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, Grammars and Other Publications on the English Language
Bibliography
Answer Key for the Exercises
Index

Review quote:
This textbook contains all the information you need if you are starting your studies of English syntax and acquainting yourself with the art of syntactic argumentation. It is complete, accessible, designed with those who have no previous knowledge of the topic in mind. It is engaging and easy to follow.
Review quote:
This acclaimed textbook introduces almost everything we need to know about English syntax. In remarkably simple and concise languages, this revitalized edition covers essential concepts of syntax, step-by-step procedures for syntactic argumentation, and even applications of the covered syntactic knowledge to semantics, language variation and processing. This is a must textbook for the study of English syntax.
Biographical note:
Bas Aarts is Professor of English Linguistics and Director of the Survey of English Usage at University College London, UK.
Promotional headline:
A thorough grounding in the essentials of sentence structure and syntactic argumentation.
Feature:
Provides a complete overview of English syntax, making it ideal for use in introductory modules, or for those with minimal background knowledge
Feature:
Contains a wealth of new and updated exercises with an answer key at the end of the book that will help students to consolidate their learning at every step
Feature:
Suggestions for further reading are provided at the end of every chapter
Feature:
Equipped with an updated glossary of key grammatical terminology, with cross-referencing to enhance students’ understanding of how the terms fit together
Feature:
Its coverage of syntactic argumentation sets this book apart from others on the market