Foundations of French Syntax

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.

• Suitable as main textbook for courses in French linguistics and French grammar • Will allow teachers to offer courses in French syntax for the first time • Useful as supplementary reading or postgraduate reference source

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.