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LING 492: Structure of English

Instructor: Jennifer Mittelstaedt

Credits: Four

This course serves to increase familiarity with the grammatical structures of English and encourage an analytical approach to examining these structures.  Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of the major features of English syntactic structure, including phrasal and clausal structure; recognize traditional grammar terminology as well as formal linguistic terminology; show familiarity with topics like quantifiers, pro-forms, anaphora, verbal inflection, question formation, negation, thematic roles, relative clauses, passive voice, and infinitives; and draw tree structures corresponding to a variety of simple and complex English sentences and phrase types. The differences in syntactic structure across a range of English dialects will also be covered.

Prerequisites: LING 390

Major Assignments:

  • Regular quizzes (35%)
  • In-class group work (35%)
  • Final exam (30%)

Textbooks: Dieterich, T., & Andler, A. (2002). Structure and Theme in English Grammar. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press. [ISBN-10: 0472066226; ISBN-13: 978-0472066223]

NOTE: This book is currently out of print. Please start shopping online for a used copy as soon as possible, as the bookstore will likely have fewer than the class will require.

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