A New Approach to English Grammar, on Semantic Principles
Author | : Robert M. W. Dixon |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 424 |
Release | : 1991 |
ISBN-10 | : UOM:39015019820938 |
ISBN-13 | : |
Rating | : 4/5 (38 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: This work offers a fresh approach to grammar, arguing that a speaker "codes" a meaning into grammatical forms in order to communicate them to a hearer. Investigating the interrelation of grammar and meaning, Dixon uncovers a rationale for the varying grammatical properties of different words. He offers a review of some of the main points of English syntax, as well as a discussion of English verbs in terms of semantic types. Finally, he examines five specific grammatical topics: complement clauses in detail; complement clauses, transitivity and causatives; passive construction; promotion of a non-subject to subject slot; and the relation between verb constructions.