Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

INTRODUCTION

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Word order in this chapter is principally concerned with how the elements of the

clause (subject, verb, object, complement, adjunct) are arranged. Word order

choices also affect phrases, and the chapters on phrase classes (155–257) specify

the patterns of word order found in noun, verb, adjective, adverb and

prepositional phrases.

Theme and rheme

Clauses may be considered as having two parts in relation to how information is

arranged within them: the theme (or topic) and the rheme (or comment). The

theme/topic is typically the starting point of the clause, who or what the clause is

‘about’. The rheme/comment is the main part of the message, the important

information given about that topic. In the sentence: