| Abbreviations |
S. XI |
| Part One: The grammar of Old English subjectless predicates |
| Introduction |
S. 3 |
| 1. |
Aim |
S. 3 |
| 2. |
Subjectless constructions |
S. 3 |
| 3. |
The methodological and theoretical framework |
S. 8 |
| I. |
Subjectless constructions with sentential complements |
S. 21 |
| 1. |
The OE paradigm |
S. 21 |
| 2. |
The basic form of the construction |
S. 23 |
| 3. |
Grammatical Relations and semantic roles |
S. 27 |
| 4. |
The OE RUE class |
S. 29 |
| 5. |
The OE PLEASE/DESIRE class |
S. 37 |
| 6. |
The OE BEHOVE class |
S. 40 |
| 7. |
The OE HAPPEN class |
S. 43 |
| 8. |
The OE SEEM class |
S. 44 |
| 9. |
Summary |
S. 45 |
| 10. |
Towards an integrated basic structure |
S. 52 |
| 11. |
A dynamic view of OE subjectless grammar |
S. 54 |
| II. |
Subjectless constructions with nominal complements |
S. 59 |
| 1. |
Preliminary remarks |
S. 59 |
| 2. |
Type N |
S. 60 |
| 3. |
Two variant constructions entered by subjectless predicates |
S. 67 |
| 4. |
Summary |
S. 75 |
| Part Two: The development of subjectless grammar |
| Introduction |
S. 81 |
| 1. |
Aim |
S. 81 |
| 2. |
Theoretical aspects |
S. 81 |
| III. |
The history of subjectless predicates until the Early Modern English period |
S. 85 |
| 1. |
The RUE class |
S. 85 |
| 2. |
The PLEASE/DESIRE class |
S. 107 |
| 3. |
The BEHOVE class |
S. 121 |
| 4. |
The HAPPEN class |
S. 129 |
| 5. |
The SEEM class |
S. 133 |
| 6. |
Summary |
S. 135 |
| IV. |
Linguistic change within a restrictive framework |
S. 141 |
| 1. |
Introduction |
S. 141 |
| 2. |
The 12th century |
S. 142 |
| 3. |
The 13th century |
S. 146 |
| 4. |
The 14th century |
S. 149 |
| 5. |
The 15th century |
S. 154 |
| 6. |
The 16th century |
S. 156 |
| |
| Appendix: Translation of OE examples |
S. 163 |
| References |
S. 167 |
| Index |
S. 175 |