Pattern, Construction, System

A Unified Approach to Grammar and Lexis

Susan Hunston (University of Birmingham)

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Hardback

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English

Cambridge University Press
04 September 2025

Grammar, syntax; Language teaching theory & methods

Construction Grammar and Systemic Functional Grammar take different approaches to the study of lexico-grammar, based on language as a cognitive and as a social phenomenon respectively. This is the first book to bring the two approaches together, using corpus-based Pattern Grammar as an underlying descriptive framework, in order to present a comprehensive and original treatment of verb-based patterns in English. It describes in detail two processes: deriving over 800 verb argument constructions from 50 verb complementation patterns; and using those constructions to populate systemic networks based on 9 semantic fields. The result is an approach to the lexis and grammar of English that unifies disparate theories, finding synergies between them and offering a challenge to each. Pattern Grammar, Construction Grammar and Systemic-Functional Grammar are introduced in an accessible way, making each approach accessible to readers from other backgrounds. This title is also available as open access on Cambridge Core.

By: Susan Hunston (University of Birmingham)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
ISBN: 9781009629027
ISBN 10: 1009629026
Pages: 260
Publication Date: 04 September 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

1. Introduction; 2. Background to Pattern Grammar and Construction Grammar; 3. From Pattern to Constructions; 4. Semantic Role Annotation; 5. Background to Systemic Functional Grammar; 6. Constructions in Meaning Networks: Causation; 7. Semantic Fields: Cognition and Communication; 8. Semantic Fields: Material and Relational; 9. Discussion and Conclusion; Index.

Susan Hunston is Professor of English Language at the University of Birmingham. Her notable publications include Corpora in Applied Linguistics, 2nd edition (2022, CUP), Interdisciplinary Discourse (with Thompson, 2020, Routledge), and Pattern Grammar (with Francis, 2000, John Benjamins). She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.