Purpose and Pattern

Purpose and Pattern explains how contemporary English is spoken and written, and why it is spoken and written in this way. The text is descriptive rather than prescriptive in its approach; that is, it presents the English language as it is currently being spoken and written by educated Canadians rather than a set of iron clad rules.The title explains the premise upon which the writing of the text has been based; namely that for everthing that we say or write we have a purpose; and that for each of these purposes the English language has developed a pattern or a choice of patterns.The text moves steadily forward on this purpose-and-pattern axis through the function of words as parts of our speech to their patterns in sentences, paragraphs, and essays. As knowledge of the patterns of the English language develops, so do the choices available to students for the expression of their ideas and emotions until communication becomes a pleasing combination of sound and meaning.It is hoped that those who study this text will discover the freedom that comes with an understanding of how language can serve their need for oral and written expression.