Discover how English grammar grew and changed over centuries.
This scholarly edition surveys the evolution of the English genitive and related constructions, tracing how speakers moved from older forms to the modern possessive. It weaves historical evidence from a wide range of sources to explain why pronouns and possessives sometimes mix with nouns in surprisingly flexible ways. Expect careful analysis, illustrated with examples from classic and later texts, that illuminate the development of English syntax.
The book offers a concise, evidence‑driven look at how the language shifted from earlier case patterns to the modern system. It shows how different sources, including medieval writing and later prose and poetry, contributed to a single, evolving usage. Readers will gain insight into why modern English sometimes uses forms that echo older structures, and how pronunciation and spelling influenced these changes.
- How the possessive and pronoun forms developed through centuries of usage
- Key examples from Chaucer, Shakespeare, and later writers that illustrate the changes
- Connections between pronunciation shifts and the rise of new grammatical patterns
- Clear explanations of the roots of the English genitive and related constructions
Ideal for readers of linguistic history and grammar enthusiasts who want a grounded, readable account of how English came to its present form.
Otto Jespersen (1860-1943) was professor of English at the University of Copenhagen. Among his many works in "Growth and Structure of the English Language," also published by the University of Chicago Press.