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What is Syntax

Syntax is a branch of linguistics that studies how sentences are formed and the rules governing word arrangement in language. It includes various sentence structures such as simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences, each with specific rules and patterns. Understanding syntax is essential for comprehending the meanings behind word order and sentence structure.

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Christian Leimer Gahisan
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3 views

What is Syntax

Syntax is a branch of linguistics that studies how sentences are formed and the rules governing word arrangement in language. It includes various sentence structures such as simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences, each with specific rules and patterns. Understanding syntax is essential for comprehending the meanings behind word order and sentence structure.

Uploaded by

Christian Leimer Gahisan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is Syntax

-Syntax is a branch of linguistics that seeks to understand how languages' grammar is generated and how
sentences are formed. For native speakers of a language, syntax will often feel intuitive, but it can be
hard to describe in words. Languages all have highly complex syntax, meaning that linguists need to
study speech carefully to get a sense of the rules that govern speech. Syntax linguistics is usually
described using branching tree-like diagrams that show the relationships between different words in a
sentence.

What is syntax in easy words?

The word “syntax” comes from the Ancient Greek for “coordination” or “ordering together.” In spoken
and written language, syntax refers to the set of rules that determines the arrangement of words in a
sentence.

Importance of Syntax

"Syntax skills help us understand how sentences work—the meanings behind word order, structure, and
punctuation. By providing support for developing syntax skills, we can help readers understand
increasingly complex texts"

Types of Syntax

There are many types of syntax that can manifest as different sentence structures in English. English
sentences can be:

Simple

Compound

Complex

Compound-complex

Simple sentences consist of one independent clause and express only one main idea. For example:

We received the letter.

While it has to contain at least one subject and one verb to stand alone, it can have more than one of
each. However, both subjects have to be related to the same action or actions. For example:
My wife and I work and study.

Note that these sentences are not simple just because they're short. In fact, they can include more
information and still be simple. The use of prepositions, prepositional phrases, compound words, or
phrases will make a sentence look complicated but they simply add description to it. For example:

My wife and I bought a brand-new car for just $50,000 two weeks ago.

Compound sentences consist of two or more simple sentences joined together and express more than
two main ideas at once. They're connected with a semicolon (;) or comma (,) and followed by a
coordinating conjunction: and, or, but, so, for, yet, nor; or a conjunctive adverb: however, instead,
therefore. Each subject is in charge of a different action. For example:

Sue painted the house gray and blue, and Tom moved the boxes from the truck to the rooms.

A complex sentence is a sentence that contains at least one independent clause and at least one
dependent clause. The dependent clause, also known as a subordinate clause, is an incomplete sentence
that cannot stand alone. A subordinating conjunction, such as "because", "since", or "until", connects
the two clauses.

"Although she completed her literature review, she still needed to work on her methods section".

A compound-complex sentence is comprised of at least two independent clauses and one or more
dependent clauses.

Example: Though Mitchell prefers watching romantic films, he rented the latest spy thriller, and he
enjoyed it very much.

Syntax Rules

Before looking at some patterns and examples of syntax, it is important to be aware of the rules of
syntax. In order for sentences to make grammatical sense, they must follow certain rules.
Here are the top 5 syntax rules:

1. All sentences need a subject and a verb. Be aware, the subject is not always stated in imperative
sentences as it is implied through context.

For example, in the sentence "Open the door" the subject is assumed to be the listener.

2. A sentence should contain one main idea. If one sentence has multiple ideas, it is preferable to split it
up into multiple sentences. This helps to avoid confusion or unnecessarily long sentences.

3. Subjects come first, followed by the verb. If the sentence has an object, this comes last.

4. Adjectives and adverbs go in front of the words they describe.

5. Subordinate clauses must also contain a subject and a verb. For example, "She was sick, so I brought
her some soup."

Sentence Patterns

1. Subject Verb

E.g., "The man jumped."

This is the most basic pattern for a sentence. Any grammatically correct sentence should, at the very
least, contain a subject and a verb.

2. Subject Verb Direct Object

E.g., "The cat ate his food."

Verbs that take an object are called transitive verbs. The object comes after the verb.

3. Subject Verb Subject Complement

E.g., "My cousin is young."


Subject complements come after the verb and always use linking verbs (such as to be) which connect the
subject and the subject complement.

4. Subject Verb Adverbial Complement

E.g., "I ran quickly."

If there are no objects, the adverbial complement comes after the verb.

5. Subject Verb Indirect Object Direct Object

E.g., "She gave me a present."

Direct objects directly receive the action of the verb, whereas indirect objects receive the direct object.
In this example, the indirect object (me) receives the indirect object (a present). Indirect objects tend to
come before the direct object, though not always. For example, the above sentence can also be written
as "she gave a present to me."

6. Subject Verb Direct Object Object Complement

E.g., "My friend made me angry."

Object complements come after the direct object.

7. Subject Verb Direct Object Adverbial Complement

E.g., "She puts the shoes back."

Adverbial complements come after the direct object.

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