This is an introduction to Construction Grammar as a cognitive-functional theory of language, applied to the structures of English. What do speakers of English know in order to produce utterances that other speakers will understand? Construction Grammar explains how knowledge of language is organized in speakers' minds. The central and radical claim of Construction Grammar is that linguistic knowledge can be fully described as knowledge of constructions, which are defined as symbolic units that connect a linguistic form with meaning. The implications of this claim are far-reaching: in Construction Grammar, not only lexical items, but also syntactic patterns are seen as symbolic, meaningful units. Instead of being meaningless structural templates, syntactic patterns actively contribute to the overall meaning of an utterance. Knowledge of language is thought of as a vast repository of interrelated symbolic units, and nothing else in addition. This book expands on this idea and familiarizes readers with the central concepts of Construction Grammar, as applied to English constructions.
In the process, it explains how the theory of Construction Grammar relates to issues of language processing, language acquisition, and language variation and change. This is the first textbook to offer a full introduction to Construction Grammar, as applied to English. It includes exercises and questions to stimulate reflection. It provides a thorough grounding in the central concepts of Construction Grammar.