This book investigates the relationship between information status and the use of noncanonical word order in English. Betty J. Birner, a noted linguist, examines how the placement of information within a sentence—whether it is old, new, or inferable—influences syntactic choices. The work draws on a range of linguistic theories and empirical data to present a cohesive argument about the pragmatic motivations behind sentence structure.

This work is recognized within linguistic circles for its detailed analysis of how information structure guides syntactic choices in English. It is considered a valuable contribution to the study of pragmatics and discourse, offering insights into the functional motivations behind sentence construction. The book is likely to appeal to scholars and advanced students of linguistics, particularly those interested in syntax and semantics.