000			01444naa a2200193 4500
999			_c44880 _d44880
020			_a9780198791096
020			_a0198791097
082			_a425.6 _bCRY
100			_aCrystal, David
245			_aThe story of be : a verb's-eye view of the English language
260			_aOxford, United Kingdom : _bOxford University Press, _c[2017]
300			_axii, 191 pages : _billustrations
500			_aIncludes indexes.
520			_aIt's the most simple, unassuming, innocent-looking verb: 'to be'. Yet it is jam-packed with more different meanings, forms, and uses than any other English word. As he reveals be's multiple incarnations, David Crystal takes us to the heart of our flexible and changing language. He tells the intriguing story in 26 chapters, each linked to a particular usage. We meet circumstantial 'be' ('how are you?'), numerical 'be' ('two and two is four'), quotative 'be' ('so I was like, "wow"'), and ludic 'be' ('oh no he isn't!'), and a whole swarm of other meanings. Bringing the ideas to life are a host of examples from sources as varied as 'Beowulf', Jane Austen, pantomime, 'Hamlet' (of course), and 'Star Wars', with cartoons from Ed McLachlan and Punch peppered throughout. Full of fascinating nuggets of information, it is a book to delight any lover of words and language.
650			_aBe (The English word)
650			_aEnglish language -- Verb.
650			_aEnglish language -- Syntax.
942			_cBK