On Understanding Grammar

accusative action affirmative agent agreement appear argument assertion background Bantu become behavior Chapter child clauses coding cognitive communication complex consider constraint constructions context corresponding dative-shift definite diachronic discourse discussion distribution embedded English evidence example exhibit exist explanation fact formal function further gave given Givón grammar human human language indefinite individual interpretation involves John Keenan knowledge language least less lexical linguistic logical marked Mary mode morphology motivated natural negative neutral nominal nouns object observed obvious passive pattern perceptual position possible pragmatic preceding preposition presuppositional principle promotion pronoun properties reason reference relation relative relative clauses relativization restriction result rise rule scope seems semantic sense sentences similar situation speaker specific speech stage strategy structure suggested synchronic syntactic syntax tend tion topic typology universe verb woman word-order yesterday