Over recent decades, linguistic theory has gone through many decisive innovations and developments. A particular role in all these developments has been played by what are known as functional descriptions of language.
This textbook presents a concise account of the most important theories in functional grammar from the last 40 years - functional grammar, systemic functional grammar, cognitive grammar, construction grammar, and grammaticalisation theory.

Elena Smirnova, Leibniz Universität Hannover; Tanja Mortelmans, Universität Antwerpen, Belgien.