Explorations in functional syntax

"The book focuses on lexicogrammar - grammatical units and relations, structural elements, configurations and complexities; social context and the semantic stratum are sketched out only as integral background. In elaborating a unitary syntactic framework which is functionally orientated so as to reflect the meaning structure of a text, the book represents a significant departure from the 'standard' mode of handling lexicogrammar in systemic linguistics. Important differences have been introduced with regard, firstly, to the nature of units on the rank scale and their relationships to structural complexes and secondly, to the range and scope of elements of clause structure. The book is well illustrated with examples of the descriptive framework in action throughout the text and in a summary end chapter."--Jacket.