Abstract: Conjunctions function as cohesive and text building elements in Modern Standard Arabic. They play various semantic and discursive roles at different textual levels: phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph and discourse (Al-Batal, 1990). This study investigates the linguistic behavior of three Arabic adversative conjunctions, namely ʼinnamā, baynamā, and bal. It draws its data mainly from the sub-corpus of Shruq Columns (2,067,137 words) in the Arabicourpus. A random sample has been collected for ʼinnamā and bal, covering 50% of their instances in the corpus. On the other hand, all the instances of baynamā with the adversative meaning have been analyzed due to the fact that it does not take on this meaning in the corpus text frequently. The thesis examines the main lexico-grammatical patterns, collocational behavior, and semantic prosody of these conjunctions. The results show that ʼinnamā and bal share some of the lexico-grammatical patterns and collocational behavior, while baynamā has its unique patterns. ʼinnamā and baynamā show no clear positive or negative semantic prosody, while one of bal's grammatical patterns has a clear negative semantic prosody. In addition to that, the three conjunctions also have similar collocational behavior. While some phenomena in the behavior of the conjunctions can be attributed to similarities or differences in their meanings, other aspects of their behavior can be understood only through future diachronic investigations. The study ultimately aims at contributing to pedagogical issues concerning the teaching of these conjunctions by providing a more comprehensive picture of their linguistic behavior. Moreover, findings of the current study could contribute to the updating of teaching materials and Arabic Foreign Language writing textbooks.

Modern Written Arabic is a complete reference guide to the grammar of modern written Arabic. The Grammar presents an accessible and systematic description of the language, focusing on real patterns of use in contemporary written Arabic, from street signs to literature. Examples are drawn from authentic texts, both literary and journalistic, published since 1990. This comprehensive work is an invaluable resource for intermediate and advanced students of Arabic and anyone interested in Arabic linguistics and the way modern written Arabic works. Features include: comprehensive coverage of all parts of speech full cross-referencing authentic examples, given in Arabic script, transliteration and translation a detailed index.

The Cambridge Handbook of English Corpus Linguistics (CHECL) surveys the breadth of corpus-based linguistic research on English, including chapters on collocations, phraseology, grammatical variation, historical change, and the description of registers and dialects. The most innovative aspects of the CHECL are its emphasis on critical discussion, its explicit evaluation of the state of the art in each sub-discipline, and the inclusion of empirical case studies. While each chapter includes a broad survey of previous research, the primary focus is on a detailed description of the most important corpus-based studies in this area, with discussion of what those studies found, and why they are important. Each chapter also includes a critical discussion of the corpus-based methods employed for research in this area, as well as an explicit summary of new findings and discoveries.

Designed for use in the classroom, but equally suitable for self-study, Media Arabic provides the basic skills required for comprehension and news gathering from Arabic radio, TV and newspapers. Based on recent news material from newspapers and the spoken media, the course assumes knowledge of no more than the basic grammar and a restricted vocabulary, and can be used by undergraduate students, businessmen and journalists. An accompanying CD of BBC World Service recordings is available only from the publishers: contact EUP on +44 (0)131 650 4218.

Analyzing Grammar is a clear introductory textbook on grammatical analysis, designed for students beginning to study the discipline. Covering both syntax (the structure of phrases and sentences) and morphology (the structure of words), it equips them with the tools and methods needed to analyze grammatical patterns in any language. Students are shown how to use standard notational devices such as phrase structure trees and word-formation rules, as well as prose descriptions. Emphasis is placed on comparing the different grammatical systems of the world's languages, and students are encouraged to practice the analyses through a diverse range of problem sets and exercises. Topics covered include word order, constituency, case, agreement, tense, gender, pronoun systems, inflection, derivation, argument structure and grammatical relations, and a useful glossary provides a clear explanation of each term. Accessibly written and comprehensive, Analyzing Grammar is set to become a key text for all courses in grammatical analysis.

A Reference Grammar of Modern Standard Arabic is a comprehensive handbook on the structure of Arabic. Keeping technical terminology to a minimum, it provides a detailed yet accessible overview of Modern Standard Arabic in which the essential aspects of its phonology, morphology and syntax can be readily looked up and understood. Accompanied by extensive carefully-chosen examples, it will prove invaluable as a practical guide for supporting students' textbooks, classroom work or self-study, and will also be a useful resource for scholars and professionals wishing to develop an understanding of the key features of the language. Grammar notes are numbered for ease of reference, and a section is included on how to use an Arabic dictionary, as well as helpful glossaries of Arabic and English linguistic terms and a useful bibliography. Clearly structured and systematically organised, this book is set to become the standard guide to the grammar of contemporary Arabic.

Lexical Priming proposes a radical new theory of the lexicon, which amounts to a completely new theory of language based on how words are used in the real world. Here they are not confined to the definitions given to them in dictionaries but instead interact with other words in common patterns of use. Using concrete statistical evidence from a corpus of newspaper English, but also referring to travel writing and literary text, the author argues that words are 'primed' for use through our experience with them, so that everything we know about a word is a product of our encounters with it. This knowledge explains how speakers of a language succeed in being fluent, creative and natural.