SYNTAX

DEFINITION AND IMPORTANCE

Syntax is the branch of linguistics that deals with the way words are arranged to form phrases or clauses
and create well-formed sentences in a language. The way words are structured in a sentence varies its
syntax but, in order to arrange words properly, a set of rules must be followed, otherwise sentence
would lack coherence, hence the importance of syntax, it helps us correct language mistakes and give
meaning to what we want to express, without syntax we wouldn’t be able to convey exactly what we
want to because all our expressions will run the risk of being incorrectly structured and would probably
sound bad and incoherent.

HEAD

The head is the most important and essential element within a phrase, it determines the type of phrasal
structure and controls the other words, the modifiers.

MODIFIERS

Modifiers are words that modifies the head in a phrase, they can complete the meaning of the
headword in a phrase or give it extra information like a characteristic, a condition or a state. There are
two types of modifiers: complements and adjuncts.

TYPES OF MODIFIERS

COMPLEMENTS

Complements complete the meaning of an expression by adding information of “where”, “when” or

how” of something, their name derive from the Latin verb “to fill”. They are obligatory because they
ensure understanding, they can not be removed.

ADJUNCTS

Adjuncts are words or phrases that can modify, give characteristics or add attributes to the head but are
not obligatory, they are optional and when removed, they don’t alter the meaning of a clause.

Examples:

1. My mother ate fish in the morning.

Analysis: In this example, “fish” is a complement because if it wasn’t present, the sentence would be
incomplete, whereas “in the morning” acts as an adjunct, it gives additional information about the time
when the action was performed.

2. Nelson and Peter went to the mountain on vacation

Analysis: In this example, “went to the mountain” acts as a complement, it completes the sentence
while “on vacation” acts as an adjunct, giving additional information about time.

3. Joe was playing video games in my house and returned to his home at 10 o’ clock.

Analysis: In this example “video games” acts as a complement, it completes the sentence by giving it
meaning, “in my house” acts as an adjunct, it gives additional information about place. In the second
part of the sentence, “to his home” acts as a complement, giving meaning to the sentence, whereas “at
10 o’ clock” acts as an adjunct, it gives additional information about time.

SENTENCES

SIMPLE SENTENCE

A simple sentence is a sentence with one independent clause, it contains the most basic elements: a
subject, a verb and a completed thought. A simple sentence can function on its own, it expresses one
situation, an event or a state.

Examples:

1. My father is a mechanic.

2. The President of the United Stated will have a press conference this weekend at Wall Street.

3. Being a single mother, Ethel can work in part-time jobs only.

COMPOUND SENTENCE

A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses (complete sentences) connected by a
a coordinating conjunction.

Examples:

1. My mother is a waitress and works 8 hours a day.

2. The prisoner had been held captive in jail for twenty years and never had any visit.

3. We went to the cinema and had a lot of fun watching the movie.

COMPLEX SENTENCE
A complex sentence is a sentence contains an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses
(incomplete sentences) connected to it. Complex sentences indicate clearer and more specific
relationships between the main parts of the sentence, a wide range of links can be made in this kind of
sentences.

Examples:

1. Ana was siting on the table because there was no chairs available.

2. Because i am a good father, my wife praised me.

3. I don’t like going out of my house so, i try my best to stay home most of the time.

TYPES OF GRAMMATICAL CONSTRUCTIONS

ACTIVE

In active sentences the subject performs the action denoted by the verb.

Examples:

1. The woman entered the restaurant.

2. My dog ate his food.

3. Jane found the book.

PASIVE

In passive sentences the action is performed upon the subject, and the form of the verb changes.

Examples:

1. The rope was pulled by the man.

2. The robber was caught by the police.

3. The car was bought by Peter.

COPULA

Copula constructions have the verb to be, which acts a linking verb, it links the subject to the predicate.
They can be interrogative, declarative and imperative.

Examples:

1. The pencil is on the desk.

 2. Harry is my brother.

3. Henry is a teacher.

NON COPULA

Non Copula constructions have an ordinary verb and they can be interrogative, declarative, imperative,
oblique object and double object.

1. Harry brings the candle.

2. I called Frank.

3. I have may books.

DECLARATIVE

Declarative constructions are used to make statements, they convey information. They can be
affirmative or negative.

Examples:

1. We won the first price.

2. I arrived to my destination.

3. He prepared the launch.

INTERROGATIVE

Interrogative constructions are used to ask questions. They can be yes/no questions or wh- questions.

Examples:

1. Did Ryan arrived on time?

2. Where is my shirt?

IMPERATIVE

Imperative constructions are used for giving orders, commands, instructions or directives. The subject
is usually absent and the base form of the verb is used.

Examples:
 1. Give me the keys.

2. Leave me alone!

3. Don’t touch me!

THE USE OF COLLOCATIONS, ELLIPSIS AND COORDINATION IN A CONVERSATION

CONVERSATION A

JOEY THE SLOW MAN.

- Have you seen Joey lately?

- No i have not.
- Mary and Jane are looking for him. We are all going to the beach and to the hotel later.
- We were together in the morning, he was quite excited because he bought a new t-shirt.
- Did he not tell you where he was going to be at? or when he was coming back?
- No, he is pretty good at being confidential and vanishing all of a sudden, and you know that.
- You are right, he is. He is quite annoying! You and him are always so incredibly slow.
- Come on! It is not that bad. Look, Harry and I are going to look for him. We will bring him quickly
and be here in no time.
- You better bring that awful man over here in half an hour or we are leaving him behind as well
as you!
- Ok, ok, i will go get him and bring him to your presence boss!

CONVERSATION B

- Freddy the most famous singer and dancer in Brussels is having a show tomorrow. Kim and I are
going. Will you go with us?
- That sounds great! But you know, i have to deliver a package and go to park with my sister
tomorrow.
- That is too bad, we were counting with you, Kim was planning to take his lovely boyfriend along.
I don’t want to go alone with them, it would be so awkward!
- That sounds bad! I really am sorry but i promised my little sister i would take her to the park
and be with her all day long. Did you ask George out? I believe he will be on his free day
tomorrow.
- I already asked George but he said he was going to fish and hunt with his nephew tomorrow.
Besides, you know pretty well that Kim is not very fond of George, she actually dislikes him.
- Yeah, you are right, she does. What about your brother with? You and him get along really well.
Why don’t you take him with you?
- I guess i do not have another choice….Anyways, promise me you will go out with me next
weekend! After all, you have to make up for not going tomorrow.
- Of course! I Promise you. You and i will have the most exciting day next weekend.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

- What is Syntax? Definition, Examples of English Syntax - Writing Explained

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https://writingexplained.org/grammar-dictionary/syntax

- Sentence types: simple, compound, complex | Englicious.org

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http://www.englicious.org/lesson/sentence-types-simple-compound-complex

- Voice: Active and Passive

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https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/activepass.htm

- Declarative Sentences @ The Internet Grammar of English

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http://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/clauses/decl.htm

- Ellipsis - gramática inglés en "English Grammar Today" - Cambridge University Press

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https://dictionary.cambridge.org/es/gramatica/gramatica-britanica/about-words-clauses-and-
sentences/ellipsis

- Ellipsis Examples and Definition - Literary Devices

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http://www.literarydevices.com/ellipsis/