Tackling the role of syntactic constructions in text, this companion brings out the connections between syntactic structures and semantics/pragmatics and the function of different clausal structures in written and spoken texts.It also draws attention to variation in standard written English, to the grammatical structures and discourse devices in spoken English, and to ongoing changes in English grammar.It focuses on the concepts of descriptive grammar as extended and refined over the last fifty years. Encyclopedic format gives immediate access the most relevant topicCross-referencing allows students to follow a thread and explore the interrelationships between syntactic structuresInnovative structure of the volume enables lecturers to decide the order in which they wish to discuss topics and to prescribe readingThis is a practical yet flexible reference that you can return to again and again, whether it be for learning, research or teaching.