How can we go about describing the structure of sentences? What do we learn from analysing language in this way? This book examines the nuts and bolts of English syntax in an accessible way.Now in its fourth edition, English Syntax and Argumentation remains a student favourite. The book starts with a discussion of the basic concepts that are important in the study of syntax, and then moves on to more complex issues. Each chapter carefully explains technical terms and uses graphic illustrations alongside easy-to-follow examples and 'hands-on' exercises to illuminate key ideas.From words and phrases to constituency and argumentation ? and now with a chapter on tense, aspect and mood ? the book's broad coverage and clear organisation make it essential reading for all students of English and Linguistics who are encountering the study of syntax for the first time.

Preface PART I: FUNCTION AND FORM 1. Introduction 2. Function 3. Form: Words, Word Classes and Phrases 4. More on Form: Clauses and Sentences 5. The Function-Form Interface PART II: ELABORATION 6. Predicates, Arguments and Thematic Roles 7. Cross-Categorial Generalisations: X-Bar Syntax 8. More on Clauses 9. Movement 10. Tense, Aspect and Mood PART III: ARGUMENTATION 11. Syntactic Argumentation 12. Constituency: Movement and Substitution 13. Constituency: Some Additional Tests 14. Predicates and Arguments Revisited PART IV: APPLICATION 15. Grammatical Indeterminacy 16. Case Studies Glossary Reference Works: Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, Grammars and Other Publications on the English Language Bibliography Index