"This engaging introduction to generative syntax leads students through the theory from the very beginning, assuming no prior knowledge. Examples are chosen to be easily understood, and a comprehensive glossary provides clear definitions of all key terms introduced. An ideal resource for instructors and beginning undergraduate students of syntax"--

Preface; Introduction: what linguistics is about and what syntax is about; 1. Tacit knowledge (or: several things you didn't know you knew about English); 2. Constituents and categories; 3. Phrase structure rules and constituency tests; 4. X'-theory; 5. Movement; 6. Binding; 7. Syntax beyond English; 8. The architecture of grammar; Conclusion.

Ian Roberts obtained a BA in Linguistics with a French minor from the University of Bangor in 1979. From 1981 to 1985 he attended the University of Southern California, obtaining a Ph.D. in Linguistics in 1985. He took up his current post as Professor of Linguistics at the University of Cambridge in 2000. In 2007 he became an Ordinary Fellow of the British Academy. He has published eight monographs and three textbooks, and has edited several collections of articles. He was Joint Editor of Journal of Linguistics, the journal of the Linguistics Association of Great Britain, for 1994-8.