本书从语法化的视角探讨了英语中的主位结构，主要描述了古英语、中古英语和现代英语时期主位结构的特点并分析了主位标记性的历史性迁移，从语法化的视角考察了几种重要主位转换手　形成过程，研究得出结论：英语中的主位标记性经历史语法化的过，在这一过程中主语被语法化为唯一的无标记主位成分，英语中一些语法结构形成成的动因是主位表达的需要。

前言

Foreword

Chapter 1 Introduction

 1.1 Research Origin

 1.2 Research Questions

 1.3 Purposes of the Research

 1.4 Arrangement

 1.5 Notes on the Data

Chapter 2 Theories and Methods

 2.1 Theories on Thematic Structure

2.1.1 Defining "Theme"

2.1.2 Defining "Thematic Markedness"

2.1.3 Interaction between Thematic Structure an Grammatical Structure

 2.2 Grammaticalization Theories

2.2.1 Defining "Grammaticalization"

2.2.2 Survey of Development of Grammaticalization Theories

2.2.3 Motivations for Grammaticalization

 2.3 Summary

Chapter 3 A Synchronic Account of Thematic Structure in Early English

 3.1 Thematic Markedness in Early English

3.1.1 A Brief Description of Word Order Pattern in Early English

3.1.2 An Outline of the Thematic Constituents in Early English Clauses

3.1.3 Themes in Negative Clauses

3.1.4 Themes in Questions

3.1.5 Preposition Stranding

3.1.6 Hierarchy of Thematic Markedness in Early English

 3.2 Thematic Transformations in Early English

3.2.1 Topicalization

3.2.2 Passivization

3.2.3 Extraposition and It-/There- Insertion

 3.3 Summary

Chapter 4 A Synchronic Account of Thematic Structure in Modern English

 4.1 Thematic Markedness in Modern English

4.1.1 An Outline of Thematic Constituents in Modern English

4.1.2 Hierarchy of Thematic Markedness in Modern English

 4.2 Thematic Transformations in Modern English

4.2.1 Passivization

4.2.2 Extraposition and Tough Movement

4.2.3 Cleft Sentences and Pseudo-cleft Sentences

 4.3 Summary

Chapter 5 Grammaticalization of Thematic Structure--A Diachronic Perspective

 5.1 Grammaticalization of Thematic Markedness

5.1.1 Diachronic Shift of Thematic Markedness

5.1.2 Grammaticalization of Thematic Markedness and Word Order Change

 5.2 Grammaticalization of Thematic Transformations

5.2.1 Passivization

5.2.2 Cleft and Pseudo-cleft Sentences

5.2.3 Tough Movement and Extraposition

 5.3 Motivations for Grammaticalization of Thematic Transformations

5.3.1 Motivations for Grammaticalization of Passive Voice

5.3.2 Motivations for GrammaticaIization of Tough Movement and Extraposition

 5.4 Summary

Chapter 6 Conclusion

 6.1 A Summary of the Book

 6.2 Innovations and Limitations o{ the Research

 6.3 The Prospect o{ Future Research

Bibliography