Research Catalog

Title

Syntactic relations : a critical survey / P.H. Matthews.

Author

Matthews, P. H. (Peter Hugoe)

Publication

Cambridge, UK ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2007.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

ix, 210 pages; 24 cm.

Summary

"Accounts of syntax are usually based on two assumptions; firstly, that a sentence comprises a hierarchy of phrases, forming a 'tree' structure; and secondly, that phrases have 'heads', on which subordinate units depend. These fundamental assumptions are questioned in this critical new survey, which argues that neither concept is as important as is claimed, and that syntactic relations are in fact far more varied." "Drawing on data from English as well as other major European languages, it summarises earlier accounts of syntactic structure and looks at the different ways in which specific constructions have been described - the subject of much disagreement between linguists. It explores the problems faced by particular analyses, and raises the question of whether syntax should be made simpler than it is."--BOOK JACKET.

Series Statement

Cambridge studies in linguistics ; 114

Uniform Title

Cambridge studies in linguistics ; 114.

Subject

• Grammar, Comparative and general > Syntax
• 17.52 syntax
• Syntax
• Grammaticale functie

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. 199-204) and index.

Contents

What beginners are told -- Heads and dependents -- Must phrases have heads? -- Asymmetries -- Constituents -- Must constructions reduce to tree sructures? -- Simplicity.

ISBN

• 9780521845762
• 0521845769
• 9780521608299
• 0521608295

LCCN

• 2007295315
• 9780521845762
• 9780521608299

OCLC

• ocm71347527
• 71347527
• SCSB-8810008

Owning Institutions

Princeton University Library