Book contents
- Continuing Syntax
- Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics
- Continuing Syntax
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- Part I Configuration and Hierarchy
- 1 Goals and Basic Assumptions
- 2 Hierarchy I: Phrase Structure and Grammatical Functions
- 3 Hierarchy II: C-Command, Head-Movement and Locality
- 4 Hierarchy and Categories I: Refining the Structure of the Clause and the VP
- 5 Hierarchy and Categories II: The Structure of Nominals
- 6 Case and the Nature of Infinitives
- 7 Features, Case and Agreement
- 8 Hierarchy and Linear Order
- 9 The Origins of Hierarchy: Bare Phrase Structure
- Part II Locality
- Glossary
- Book part
- Index
- References
1 - Goals and Basic Assumptions
from Part I - Configuration and Hierarchy
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 October 2025
Book contents
- Continuing Syntax
- Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics
- Continuing Syntax
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- Part I Configuration and Hierarchy
- 1 Goals and Basic Assumptions
- 2 Hierarchy I: Phrase Structure and Grammatical Functions
- 3 Hierarchy II: C-Command, Head-Movement and Locality
- 4 Hierarchy and Categories I: Refining the Structure of the Clause and the VP
- 5 Hierarchy and Categories II: The Structure of Nominals
- 6 Case and the Nature of Infinitives
- 7 Features, Case and Agreement
- 8 Hierarchy and Linear Order
- 9 The Origins of Hierarchy: Bare Phrase Structure
- Part II Locality
- Glossary
- Book part
- Index
- References
Summary
This chapter looks at the overall goals of generative syntax. It then moves on to a discussion of levels of adequacy for linguistic theory. This leads to a very brief discussion of the development of generative theory since its inception in the 1950s, up to its current version, known as the Minimalist Programme. Finally, we begin the discussion of hierarchy with an exposition of the X-bar theory of phrase structure and the notion of constituency tests as a probe for hierarchical structure.
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- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Continuing SyntaxHierarchy and Locality, pp. 3 - 28Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2025
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