A Modern English Grammar on Historical Principles



A modern English grammar on historical principles is a seven-volume grammar of English written by Otto Jespersen. The first volume ("part"), Sounds and Spellings, was published in 1909; two through five were on syntax; six was on morphology; and seven returned to the topic of syntax. It took until 1949 for all seven to be completed.

In 1989 Randolph Quirk called the work "a continual source of inspiration and value".

Publishing details

 * Part I. Sounds and Spellings. Heidelberg: Winter, 1909. . Heidelberg: Winter, 1927..
 * Part II. Syntax. First volume. Heidelberg: Winter, 1914. . Heidelberg: Winter, 1927..
 * Part III. Syntax. Second volume. Heidelberg: Winter, 1927. . London: George Allen & Unwin, 1928..
 * Part IV. Syntax. Third volume. Time and Tense. Heidelberg: Winter, 1931..
 * Part V. Syntax. Fourth volume. Copenhagen: Munksgaard, 1940..
 * Part VI. Morphology. With Paul Christophersen, Niels Haislund, and Knud Schibsbye. Copenhagen: Munksgaard, 1942..
 * Part VII. Syntax. Completed and edited by Niels Haislund. Copenhagen: Munksgaard; London: George Allen & Unwin, 1949..