Modern theories of tense define invariant meanings and relate these to variants using a variety of mechanisms. The present theory of tense dispenses with the principle of invariance. The individual meaning variants are derived from original meanings, and in the case of analytical tenses are explained compositionally. After introductory material on the determination of time and on the respective merits of the prototype and the invariance methods, the book contains chapters on aspect in German, on the six traditional tenses and on the structure a >wA1/4rdea (TM) + infinitive.

Constituent analysis is one of the basic skills required of prospective specialists in German studies and is therefore a mandatory component of university teaching. The textbook offers a detailed overview of the theoretical concepts and terminology of constituent analysis, which are explained by way of numerous applied examples and sample analyses, and supplemented by exercises and an index. As a result, the book provides the reader with a universally applicable tool for accurately identifying individual constituents (main clause, subordinate clause, object, predicate, attribute, etc.) and can also be used for self-study. The book also gives well-founded insights into the syntactic structure of the German language and facilitates language comparison in foreign language teaching. Although the book is especially intended for students, it will also serve as a fundamental teaching aid for student teachers, as well as teachers and instructors of linguistics. Detailed introduction to constituent analysis Valuable preparatory work for the study of linguistics Relevant for university study, school education and self-study With numerous examples and sample analyses