Introducing English Syntax
A Basic Guide for Students of English

Introducing English Syntax provides a basic introduction to syntax for students studying English as a foreign language at university. Examining English phrase and sentence structure from a descriptive point of view, this book develops the reader?s understanding of the characteristic features of English sentence construction and provides the necessary theoretical apparatus for engaging with the language.

Key features include:

• A unique framework combining theoretical and practical approaches to provide an insight into the intricacies of English syntax;
• An accessible and clear style which guides the learner through analysis, application and practical construction of sentences;
• A range of exercises at the end of each chapter and a brand new e-resource housing answers and commentaries to these exercises.

This book requires no previous knowledge of linguistics and is essential reading for students and teachers of applied linguistics and EFL/ESL, as well as those who seek a basic grounding in English sentence structure.

Introduction

1. Basic Elements of Grammatical Structure

2. The Simple Sentence and its Grammatical Functions

3. Structural variations of the simple sentence and functional consequences

4. Phrases and their Structure (I)

5. Phrases and their Structure (II)

6. The Multiple Sentence

7. Non-finite clauses in the complex sentence (I): The Infinitive

8. Non-finite clauses in the complex sentence (II): The Gerund

9. Non-finite clauses in the complex sentence (III): The participles

10. The complex phrase (I): The complex noun phrase

11. The complex phrase (II): Complex prepositional and adjective phrases

12.Selected clause constructions.

Bibliography

Index

Peter Fenn is a lecturer in English language and linguistics at the Ludwigsburg University of Education, Germany.

Götz Schwab is Professor of Applied Linguistics and EFL teaching methodology at Karlsruhe University of Education, Germany.