This textbook provides a comprehensive, balanced introduction to syntactic theory. The author shows how the diversity of syntactic theories, which at first seems confusing, can be approached by examining how each deals with conflicting data. This approach helps the student to understand how syntactic theories are related to each other, what they necessarily have in common, and in what ways they actually differ. Theories introduced here include Transformational Generative Grammar, Relational Grammar, Word Grammar, Functional Grammar, and Optimality Theory, amongst others.

An Introduction to Syntactic Theory will be essential reading for undergraduate students of linguistics, whether they are new to the subject or studying it at a more advanced level.

"Why are there so many theories of syntax? How is it that some scholars talk about syntax in ways that just don't register with us? Edith Moravcsik starts from what is required of theory in any domain of inquiry, and considers how these requirements are met, to differing degrees, by various theories of syntax. She shows how mismatches arise, within syntax and in its relations to other modules, and how they are resolved. This book thus offers great insight into why other linguists think the way they do about syntax. It is even more useful for helping us as readers to understand why we do syntax the way we do." Greville G. Corbett, Distinguished Professor of Linguistics, University of Surrey