Minimalist Syntax: Exploring the Structure of English

Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics

by Andrew Radford

Andrew Radford's latest textbook provides a concise, accessible introduction to current work in syntactic theory, drawing on the key concepts of Chomsky's Minimalist Program. Assuming little or no prior knowledge of syntactic theory, Radford leads students through a diverse range of topics in English syntax. Each chapter contains a workbook section, in which students are encouraged to make their own analysis of English phrases and sentences through exercises, model answers, and "helpful hints". There is also an extensive glossary of terms.

Genres: Linguistics, Language, Reference, Textbooks, Nonfiction

528 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Ne.]

A really easy 2 understand book on the most important aspects of syntax written 2 help us explore the structure of English. Unlike many other books on this and similar topics in linguistics, the language is clear and not larded up with technical jargon. Written in an approachable style & avoiding structural complexity, it`s not historistics or comparative in orientation, thus does not presuppose knowledge of earlier or alternative models of grammar…
The book includes 10 chapters about basic elements of syntax like grammar, words, structure, null constituents, head movement, wh-movement, a-movement, split projections, phases, agreement, case & movement. Also it containes an extensive glossary that provides simple illustrations of how key terms r used.
The only thing that prevents me from giving it 5 stars is that the book contains numerous refrences 2, highly technical, primary research works & its exercises r designed in such a way that they cannot be tackled on the basis of the course book material alone! Other than that, this is a great book that changed how I view my dabbling in subjects.

[محمد حسين ضاحي]

I started to read this textbook as an introduction to current work in syntactic theory by Chomsky known as the Minimalist Program. I have tried the author Andrew Radford before (I have read most of his books on syntactic theory starting with his 1981's Transformational Syntax: A Student's Guide to Chomsky's Extended Standard Theory- which is not enlisted here in Goodreads), and I like his way, it helps me especially as I have to read on my own without any help from an instructor.

[Menna Kh.]

I had to study this in college.
It's quite complicated, unless it was explained by an instructor.
It is also a great reference for Linguistic scholars (just as myself) and structuralism.

[Mahmoud]

Excellent! The book is very well-structured and succeeds in making progressively more complex concepts accessible to the reader throughout. Each chapter builds on the previous one, especially in the 2nd half of the book.

[Giulia Maria]

*i’ve read half of it to prepare a morpho-syntax exam*

maybe it is because I find morpho-syntax quite chaotic, but this book did not bring any light to my antecedent confusion, RIP

[maria]

REESCRIBI EL LIBRO ENTERO YO SOLA AHORA DECIME QUIEN ES EL AUTORR
meu deus aprende a redactar hdp sos la peor tortura para los estudiantes de grammar 2 dafuq

[Riaz Laghari]

In Andrew Radford's meticulous analysis of "Minimalist Syntax: Exploring the Structure of English," Chapter 2 exhaustively navigates through the complex environment of linguistic elements. This informative chapter covers a wide range of topics concerning words and their grammatical classification. It looks at the overall structure of words and their qualities (2.1), as well as the finer points of grammatical categories (2.2). Radford dives into the challenges and procedures of word categorization (2.3), as well as the unique characteristics of functional categories (2.4) and the responsibilities of determiners and quantifiers (2.5). The chapter then dives into the many aspects of pronouns (2.6), auxiliaries (2.7), infinitival 'to' (2.8), and complementisers (2.9), each of which adds another layer to the complex tapestry of language. Radford also discusses the significance of labelled bracketing (2.10) and the integration of grammatical characteristics (2.11) in linguistic structure analysis. Finally, this lengthy journey comes to a close with a summary reflection (2.12), which provides a cohesive view on the various subjects explored. Radford ensures the reader's active engagement by incorporating workbook sections with activities that reinforce and build on the key themes discussed throughout the chapter.

[Ahmad R. Beigi]

It Provides accessible introduction to current work in Syntax theory.

[Levine]

it is easier to understand this book than my college textbook.

[Sara]

خیلی کند و کسل کننده و پرطول و تفسیر و بد.

[Said Dhimni]

Such an easy book to read, although very demanding cognitively!!! It's amazing how simplified yet strong universal grammar is in relationship to syntax.