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Syntax Examples

The document explains the importance of syntax in written language, highlighting its role in sentence structure, punctuation, and word choice. It provides examples of common syntactical mistakes and their corrections, emphasizing the need for clarity and proper grammar in formal writing. Overall, it illustrates how adherence to syntax rules enhances communication and reflects a writer's capability.

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adetona19gold
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7 views

Syntax Examples

The document explains the importance of syntax in written language, highlighting its role in sentence structure, punctuation, and word choice. It provides examples of common syntactical mistakes and their corrections, emphasizing the need for clarity and proper grammar in formal writing. Overall, it illustrates how adherence to syntax rules enhances communication and reflects a writer's capability.

Uploaded by

adetona19gold
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Syntax Examples

Along with diction, syntax is a fundamental part of written language. Diction defines
the style of written or spoken language, representing the choices a speaker or writer
makes within the rules of grammar and syntax. Syntax states the rules for using
words, phrases, clauses and punctuation, specifically to form sentences.
Correct syntax examples include word choice, matching number and tense, and
placing words and phrases in the right order. While diction can be flexible, especially
in casual conversation, proper syntax is comparatively strict. Following the rules of
syntax is vital in formal writing of all kinds, and it is a clear sign that a writer is
capable and well-informed.

Sentence Structure Examples


Fundamentally, syntax is about structure. The rules of syntax exist to make sentences
clear and consistent. There are a variety of common syntactical mistakes, and all are
easy to fix once a writer knows what they're doing wrong. For instance:
 Incorrect: While watching a movie, people who text on their phone are very annoying.
 Correct: People who text on their phone while watching a movie are very annoying.
Or…
 Incorrect: Happy about her upcoming promotion, the trip home was full of singing.
 Correct: Happy about her upcoming promotion, Sammie sang all the way home.
Here, the problem is a misplaced modifier. A modifier is a word or phrase intended to
change, or modify, another part of the sentence, typically the subject. Misplaced
modifiers make sentences unclear, because they could be modifying more than one
subject.
In the second incorrect example, the sentence is stating that the "the trip home"
(subject) was "happy about her upcoming promotion," which doesn't make sense.
Instead, it is "Sammie" who is the happy individual with a promotion, as stated in the
correct sentence.
Here is another example of that:
 Incorrect: Looking over Charlie's exam, several mistakes became evident immediately.
 Correct: Looking over Charlie's exam, the teacher noticed several mistakes.
The incorrect sentence lacks a subject. The mistakes aren't looking over the exam. To
make sense, the sentence needs something or someone to perform the action it
describes. It's a question of independent and dependent clauses.
00:03

00:41

Punctuation Examples
Another set of common mistakes have to do with punctuation.
 Incorrect: Come for a visit I have plenty of food.
 Correct: Come for a visit! I have plenty of food.
The problem here is a run-on sentence. The absence of punctuation makes the
statement appear vague and rushed. Breaking the words into two sentences with an
exclamation point adds clarity and increases the impact of "Come for a visit!"
 Incorrect: Before we go to the movies.
 Correct: I need a nap before we go to the movies.
This example has the opposite problem: it's a sentence fragment. A sentence fragment
like "before we go to the movies" doesn't make a complete statement. Without the
addition of "I need a nap," the reader doesn't know the writer's intent.
The following example has a similar problem, but requires a different solution.
 Incorrect: You can't go the movies. Or buy popcorn without any money.
 Correct: You can't go the movies or buy popcorn without any money.
The incorrect example is a broken sentence. The difference is that "You can't go to the
movies" could be a complete sentence in itself, but it is followed by a phrase that
needs to be incorporated into it. Instead of simply adding more text, the solution to a
broken sentence is to combine the pieces.
Another example of a punctuation problem is simply failing to use it where needed.
 Incorrect: This house is dusty filthy and stinky.
 Correct: This house is dusty, filthy and stinky.
The mistake in the incorrect example is comma placement, or more accurately the
lack of it. Proper syntax requires at least one comma to separate a list of three items.
"The house is dusty, filthy, and stinky" is also syntactically correct, using the "Oxford
comma" (also called the serial comma) to separate the last item on the list. Either
usage is generally acceptable, though specific style guides typically prefer one over
the other.
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Word Choice Examples


There is also the syntactical question of word choice. This is the area in which the
rules of syntax offer the most leeway, and consequently perhaps the easiest area in
which to make mistakes.
 Incorrect: To the movies we are going.
 Correct: We are going to the movies.
The issue here is outdated phrasing. By the rules of syntax, "to the movies we are
going" isn't technically wrong. It's just archaic. Shakespeare would have been fine
with "to the movies we are going," at least once somebody explained movies to him.
Modern English, however, expects sentences to go subject-verb-object rather than
object-subject-verb. It's a perfect example of how the rules of syntax change with
place and time, and that the first priority of any writer should be clear communication.
For further help, read up on subject-verb agreement.
On the subject of tricky verbs…
 Incorrect: Did you ever speak to him? Yes, I was speaking to him yesterday.
 Correct: Did you ever speak to him? Yes, I spoke to him yesterday.
The incorrect example uses the wrong verb tense. Specifically, instead of using the
past simple tense, "was speaking" uses the past continuous tense. It suggests an act in
the past that may still be going on. If you "were speaking," you may still be speaking.
"Spoke" is the past simple tense, indicating an act that already happened and is now
over. If you "spoke," you're done speaking now. The latter is appropriate here.
Even innocuous little prepositions like "to" can pose syntactical challenges.
 Incorrect: Her mother made her to call and thank him for the present.
 Correct: Her mother made her call and thank him for the present.
Here, "to" is simply an unnecessary word. While many languages require an infinitive
("to verb") in constructions like "she made him to verb" or "they told her to verb,"
English doesn't. "Made her call" is sufficient without the word "to."
Word choice may seem minor, but the selection of just one word versus another can
completely change the meaning of a sentence.
 Incorrect: I'm getting the car right now. I can be there in no time.
 Correct: I'm getting the car right now. I should be there in no time.
The problem here is "can" vs. "should." This is a classic example of syntax being
strict where diction is lax. In common usage, "can" frequently substitutes for "should"
or "will." In formal syntax, those words have three distinct meanings. "Should"
describes a likely outcome, "will" describes a certain outcome, and "can" describes
merely the possibility of an outcome.
Formally, "I can be there in no time" just means "I have the ability to be there in no
time." On the other hand, "I should be there in no time" means "I have the ability and
the intent to be there in no time (and probably will)."
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