Foundations of French Syntax

Detailed analysis of the principal areas of French grammar, grounded in traditional and modern theory.

Michael Allan Jones (Author)

9780521388054, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 12 September 1996

584 pages, 34 b/w illus. 9 tables 87 exercises
22.8 x 15.4 x 3.2 cm, 0.82 kg

Designed for students, this detailed analysis of the principal areas of French grammar combines the insights of modern linguistic theory with those of more traditional grammarians. Theory is placed firmly in the service of description and analysis, and students are guided to an understanding of the French language which will complement the information offered by traditional reference grammars. The book includes discussion of verbs and verb phrases, voice, tense and mood, the noun phrase and pronouns, prepositions and variations in sentence-structure. The author pays special attention to those areas of French grammar which pose difficulties for an English-speaking reader. Each chapter is followed by a set of problems and exercises, and by a useful guide to further reading. Foundations of French Syntax assumes no prior knowledge of linguistics, and will appeal to students and teachers of linguistics, French and other Romance languages.

Preface
Notational conventions
1. Introduction
2. Verbs and verb phrases
3. Voice
4. Tense, aspect and mood
5. The noun phrase
6. Pronouns
7. Adjectives, adverbs and negation
8. Prepositions
9. Infinitival clauses
10. Inversion and QU-movement
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Grammar, syntax & morphology [CFK]