Full Description
A logical and clear exposition of hierarchy and locality by a leading figure in the field, Continuing Syntax takes students from an introductory level of syntactic theory to an understanding of cutting-edge research in the field. A comprehensive range of topics is covered, including configurationality, head-movement, clause structure, nominal structure, subjacency, barriers and phases, ensuring that students have a thorough understanding of all the main components of contemporary theory. The many example sentences, extensive glossary, end-of-chapter exercises and annotated further reading lists allow readers to embed and extend their knowledge as they progress through the book. A self-contained work ideal for intermediate-level students, this volume also builds on the author's Beginning Syntax, and lays the foundation for a third volume, Comparing Syntax, which introduces formal syntactic typology.
Contents
Preface; 1. Goals and basic assumptions; 2. Hierarchy I: phrase structure and grammatical functions; 3. Hierarchy II: c-command, head-movement and locality; 4. Hierarchy & categories I: refining the structure of the clause and the VP; 5. Hierarchy & categories II: the structure of nominals; 6. Case and the nature of infinitives; 7. Features, case and agreement; 8. Hierarchy and linear order; 9. The origins of hierarchy: bare phrase structure; 10. Wh-movement: unbounded dependencies, islands, subjacency and barriers; 11. Covert movement, copy theory and reconstruction; 12. Phases and phase impenetrability; 13. Types of locality: phases and relativised minimality; 14. The syntax of silence I: ellipsis; 15. The syntax of silence II: empty pronouns; 16. Wrapping up: parameters, features and futures.
