Understanding Syntax (Understanding Language)

Rating:
Summary: Great book for getting your feet wet!
Review: If you're looking for a good introduction to syntax, this is a wonderful book for that purpose. Tallerman's prose is clear and understandable and the examples clearly explain the concepts. The book is organized well and both indices and contents pages do their jobs well, something I've found rare in many textbooks.

The questions, however, can sometimes be quirky. The data can be minimal in the extreme and instead the question itself leads the student to the answer. This can make the questions seem just a rehash of the chapter instead of exercises that develop the student's skills. Depending on the professor, it can leave students unprepared for tests and quizzes. These quirks are rare, though, and most exercises help the student well enough.

I'd recommend this book for those learning syntax on their own or for really basic courses in syntax. This isn't really a graduate level book by itself, although with supplements or another more advanced text it is a great way to introduce students to syntax before moving on to the harder stuff later on in the semester.