This volume investigates the structural evolution and functional mechanics of English syntax through a rigorous historical lens. Otto Jespersen, a preeminent Danish linguist, utilizes his extensive knowledge of Germanic philology to categorize the development of English sentence structure. He argues that syntax is not a static set of rules but a dynamic system shaped by usage, historical shifts, and the inherent logic of communication. The work provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how English syntax transitioned from its earlier forms into the modern usage observed in the early 20th century.

Linguists and scholars frequently cite this work as a foundational text for the study of English historical syntax. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which requires a high level of familiarity with linguistic terminology to fully comprehend.