This Introduction provides a lively and clearly written textbook. It introduces basic concepts of grammar in a format which inspires the reader to use linguistic arguments. The style of the book is engaging and examples from poetry, jokes, and puns illustrate grammatical concepts.The focus is on syntactic analysis and evidence. However, special topic sections contribute sociolinguistic and historical reasons behind prescriptive rules such as the bans on split infinitives, dangling participles, and preposition stranding.The book is structured for a semester-long course. It provides exercises, keys to those exercises, and sample exams. It also includes a comprehensive glossary and suggestions for further reading.

Table of Contents

Preface ix•xi List of tables xiii Glossary xv•xxiv Introduction 1•9 Categories 11•29 Phrases 31•55 Review Chapters 1•3 57•60 Functions in the sentence 61•77 More functions, of prepositions and particles 79•96 The structure of the Verb Group in the VP 97•111 Review Chapters 4•6 113•118 Finite clauses: Embedded and coordinated 119•133 Non-finite clauses 135•145 Review of Chapters 7 and 8 147•148 The structure of the NP, AdjP, AdvP, and PP 149•165 Clauses as parts of NPs, AdjPs, and PPs 167•180 Special sentences 181•188 Review Chapters 9•11 189•194 Further reading 195•198 References 199•200