Aims to chart the whole realm of the syntax of Old English. The difficulties inherent in the study of old English syntax make a prescriptive analysis virtually impossible at this point. For this reason, the books do not lay down rules but rather make suggestions, demonstrate, where appropriate, the possibility of different interpretation, summarize the present state of knowledge about the phenomena discussed, and indicate possible lines of research in the future.
"When scholars of Old English come to assess achievements in their field during the century now drawing to a close, they will descry a few preeminent landmarks [Ker, Krapp and Dobbie, and the Toronto
Dictionary of Old English]...Mitchell's monumental
Old English Syntax now joins this select company....Every Old English scholar will want this reference work in her or his library, but before shelving the volumes scholars should read them from beginning to end."--
Speculum