Includes bibliographical references (p. 284-288) and index.

Series editor's preface -- Preface -- 1. Some basic concepts -- 2. Representing things I: Nouns and noun groups -- 3. Representing things II: More on noun groups -- 4.Doing and happening I: The transitivity of action processes -- 5. Doing and happening II: Ergativity, phrasal verbs, and phase --6. Seeing, liking, thinking, writing, and saying: The transitivity of mental and verbal processes -- 7.Being and having: The transitivity of relational and existential processes -- 8. Representing time: Tense and temporal Adjuncts -- 9. Interaction: Speech acts and mood -- 10. Expressing judgments and attitudes: Modal auxiliaries and modality -- 11. Organizing messages: Theme and focus -- 12.Combining messages: Complex sentences -- 13. Issues in the learning and teaching of grammar -- Appendix -- References -- Index

"This text explores ways in which English grammar enables speakers and writers to represent the world, to interact with one another, and to create coherent messages. Functional English Grammar provides second language teachers with a functional description of English grammar, in which grammar is viewed not as a set of rules but as a communicative resource. It explores ways in which English grammar enables speakers and writers to represent their experience of the world, to interact with one another, and to create coherent messages. Each chapter includes a focus on areas of difficulty for second language learners, numerous authentic examples, tasks that allow the reader to apply the concepts introduced, and discussion questions. A final chapter covers issues in the learning and teaching of grammar, and reviews methodological options for the second or foreign language classroom. Functional English Grammar assumes no previous study of linguistics or English grammar. It is suitable for self-study or as a textbook in teacher education programs." (Publisher's Website)