'Although the outlines of all case studies look similar, they are variable enough to allow for the individual history and function of each discussed item. The organization of each chapter leads to the derivation that is proposed. The analyses are carefully conducted and easy to understand. No proposed derivation remains unclear. … In sum, it is an impressive and excellent study of the derivation of comment clauses. … I can recommend this book to all linguists …' The Linguist List

• 1. Introduction: comment clauses, parentheticals, and pragmatic markers; 2. Semantic and syntactic development of pragmatic markers; 3. Processes of change; 4. Comment clauses with say; 5. I mean; 6. Comment clauses with see; 7. If you will and as it were; 8. Comment clauses with look; 9. What's more and what else; 10. Epistemic/evidential parentheticals - I gather and I find; 11. Concluding remarks.

'Although the outlines of all case studies look similar, they are variable enough to allow for the individual history and function of each discussed item. The organization of each chapter leads to the derivation that is proposed. The analyses are carefully conducted and easy to understand. No proposed derivation remains unclear. … In sum, it is an impressive and excellent study of the derivation of comment clauses. … I can recommend this book to all linguists …' The Linguist List

• 1. Introduction: comment clauses, parentheticals, and pragmatic markers; 2. Semantic and syntactic development of pragmatic markers; 3. Processes of change; 4. Comment clauses with say; 5. I mean; 6. Comment clauses with see; 7. If you will and as it were; 8. Comment clauses with look; 9. What's more and what else; 10. Epistemic/evidential parentheticals - I gather and I find; 11. Concluding remarks.

'Although the outlines of all case studies look similar, they are variable enough to allow for the individual history and function of each discussed item. The organization of each chapter leads to the derivation that is proposed. The analyses are carefully conducted and easy to understand. No proposed derivation remains unclear. … In sum, it is an impressive and excellent study of the derivation of comment clauses. … I can recommend this book to all linguists …' The Linguist List

• 1. Introduction: comment clauses, parentheticals, and pragmatic markers; 2. Semantic and syntactic development of pragmatic markers; 3. Processes of change; 4. Comment clauses with say; 5. I mean; 6. Comment clauses with see; 7. If you will and as it were; 8. Comment clauses with look; 9. What's more and what else; 10. Epistemic/evidential parentheticals - I gather and I find; 11. Concluding remarks.