Two Grammatical Models of Modern English (RLE Linguistics D: English Linguistics)

This book focuses on two major traditions in the study of Modern English grammar: ‘old grammar’ in the Great Tradition of Sweet, Poutsma, Kruisinga, Curme, Jespersen and Quirk; and ‘new grammar’ in applications to Modern English of Chomskyan generative syntax. The purpose is to promote the study of Modern English grammar through proper acquaintance with both these two approaches; and in general to promote positive evaluations of pluriformity in Modern English grammar. For the first time, this book brings together in one place general presentations of the two traditions, and of their mutual relations and perceptions. But it argues against the view that the one approach to grammar may ‘use’ the other. It sees the two approaches as essentially incompatible: ‘old’ grammar proceeds inductively and aims at comprehensive coverage of facts; ‘new’ grammar is deductive and attempts to attain depth in its accounts of pertinent facts. As the case studies show, both approaches make contributions to the study of Modern English grammar – precisely provided they retain their own distinctive natures. The core of book is it’s a-Z case studies. These are detailed comparisons, arranged alphabetically by title for ease of reference, of twenty-six problems in Modern English grammar, from both the ‘old’ and ‘new’ viewpoints.