Analysing English Sentence Structure An Intermediate Course in Syntax

This chapter introduces the cartographic approach to syntax, analysing the clause periphery. Module 4.1 argues that a complementiser like that is the head of a FORCEP/force projection marking declarative force, and peripheral topics (whether dislocated, fronted, or orphaned) are specifiers of lower TOPP/topic projections. Module 4.2 goes on to argue that peripheral focused constituents move from an initial position below the periphery to the edge of a peripheral FOCP/focus projection, and contrasts topic and focus. Module 4.3 then argues that peripheral clausal modifiers are directly generated on the edge of a MODP/modifier projection, and that (non)finiteness markers (like infinitival for) are generated as heads of a FINP/finiteness projection which is the lowest projection in the periphery. Next Module 4.4 contrasts complete clauses which project all the way up to FORCEP with truncated clauses which project only as far as FINP. The chapter concludes with a Summary (Module 4.5), Bibliography (Module 4.6), and Workbook (Module 4.7), with some Workbook exercise examples designed for self-study, and others for assignments/seminar discussion.