English Grammar: A function-based introduction. Volume II - Softcover

Givón, T.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 155619465X ISBN 13: 9781556194658

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 1993

Synopsis

The approach to language and grammar that motivates this book is unabashedly functional; grammar is not just a system of empty rules, it is a means to an end, an instrument for constructing concise coherent communication. In grammar as in music, good expression rides on good form. Figuratively and literally, grammar like musical form must make sense. But for the instrument to serve its purpose, it must first exist; the rules must be real, they can be explicitly described and taught. This book is intended for both students and teachers, at college level, for both native and nonnative speakers. With the guidance of a teacher this book will serve as a thorough introduction to the grammar of English. Volume II continues with syntactic and communicative complexity: embedded clauses – verb complements, relative clauses; detransitive voice – passive, anti-passive, impersonal and middle voice, reflexive and reciprocal constructions; focus and topic constructions; nondeclarative speech acts. It closes with interclausal connectivity: conjoined and subordinate clauses, the grammar of discourse coherence, clause chains and thematic paragraphs.

Edition details

• Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Company
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 155619465X
• ISBN 13: 9781556194658
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 363