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The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language

This book presents a new and comprehensive descriptive grammar of English, written by the principal authors in collaboration with an international research team of a dozen linguists in five countries. It represents a major advance over previous grammars by virtue of drawing systematically on the linguistic research carried out on English during the last forty years. It incorporates insights from the theoretical literature but presents them in a way that is accessible to readers without formal training in linguistics. It is based on a sounder and more consistent descriptive framework than previous large-scale grammars, and includes much more explanation of grammatical terms and concepts, together with justification for the ways in which the analysis differs from traditional grammar. The book contains twenty chapters and a guide to further reading. Its usefulness is enhanced by diagrams of sentence structure, cross-references between sections, a comprehensive index, and user-friendly design and typography throughout.

‘This grammar has benefited from extensive collaboration with scholars who have contributed substantial parts to individual chapters. An impressively voluminous piece of work. A reference work that should be available to all grammarians.’

Source: Linguist List

‘An error-free guide, this latest publication must stand as one of the best analyses of modern English.’

Source: Contemporary Review

‘… with help from an impressive group of international scholars, linguistics Professors Huddleston (English Grammar: An Outline) and Pullum (Phonetic Symbol Guide) here provide a comprehensive and detailed look at the principles of the English language‘… An authoritative addition to the fields of both English grammar and linguistics. Recommended for all academic libraries.’

Source: Library Journal

‘I have read many excellent accounts of the English language over the years, but this recent publication by Cambridge University Press is by far the most impressive. In fact, I would say the Cambridge Grammar of the English Language is one of the most superb works of academic scholarship ever to appear on the English linguistics scene … a monumental work that offers easily the most comprehensive and thought-provoking treatment of English grammar to date. Nothing rivals this work, with respect to breadth, depth and consistency of coverage.’

Source: Australian Book Review

‘ … this book will take its place alongside the two other reference grammars of recent years, to give students a foundation for the study of English grammar that they have never had before.’

Source: The Indexer

‘Huddleston and Pullum have done an admirable job …’.

Source: Arbeiten aus Anglistik und Amerikanistik

'The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language is a comprehensive descriptive grammar of English designed to be accessible to the general reader … Everything about this book is a credit to the authors and the publishers. It is authoritative, interesting, reasonably priced (for a book of this size), beautifully designed, well proofread, and enjoyable to handle … It is both a modern complement to existing descriptive grammars … and an important resource for anyone interested in working with or finding out about English.'

Chris Brew - The Ohio State University

'… very stimulating … It will, deservedly, replace its predecessor A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language [] and I anticipate that it will give grammarians [] much to argue about for many years to come … continues a respected scholarly tradition.'

Source: Language and Literature