In analogy to how atoms combine with other atoms to form molecules, the valency of a language describes how words combine with other words to form larger units. Valency, also called complementation, has important implications in a language's grammar, and especially as it concerns learners. The dictionary provides a scholarly and, as far as possible, comprehensive description of the valency properties of English verbs, adjectives, and nouns. It is designed to help linguists carry out further research in complementation; applied linguists, grammarians, and lexicographers develop new teaching materials; advanced foreign learners write grammatically correct and idiomatic English; and non-native teachers of English to mark students' constructions as frequently, occasionally, or not at all present in current English. The key to symbols is on a fold-out page so it can be consulted while looking up specific words. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)