Publisher's Synopsis
In this book, Michael Barlow describes ways in which corpus data can be used to provide insights into various aspects of grammar, taking a usage-based perspective. The book deals with both the practical and the theoretical aspects of using corpora for language analysis. Some of the topics covered include corpora and usage-based linguistics, collocations and constructions, categorisation in everyday language, blends, and discourse organisation. A couple of recurring themes in the volume are (i) the relationship between theory and data and (ii) the importance and consequences of looking at individual variation in language use.
