Syntax: generative grammar

The second part discusses the inadequacies of the standard model, concentrating on the distinction between syntax and morphology, distribution, and the function of the lexicon. A non-transformational account of agreement, the passive, infinitives and gerunds is proposed.

The authors also discuss the relationship between syntax and semantics.

The third part examines how participant roles can be incorporated in formal grammars and demonstrates that attention to surface syntax and morphology is essential for semantic description.

Like its companion volume, the book is profusely illustrated with diagrams, and for every chapter in the first and second parts there are sets of exercises. The book is written for second- and third-year students, and for postgraduate students beginning linguistics.