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Syntax

The document discusses syntax, which refers to the arrangement of words and phrases in a language according to its rules. It covers the basic rules of syntax in English, including that sentences require a subject and verb, subordinate clauses also require a subject and verb, and adjectives and adverbs go before the words they describe. It also outlines seven types of syntactic patterns.

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Tanya Malanchiy
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49 views10 pages

Syntax

The document discusses syntax, which refers to the arrangement of words and phrases in a language according to its rules. It covers the basic rules of syntax in English, including that sentences require a subject and verb, subordinate clauses also require a subject and verb, and adjectives and adverbs go before the words they describe. It also outlines seven types of syntactic patterns.

Uploaded by

Tanya Malanchiy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Syntax

Made by Tania
What is syntax?
 Syntax in English is the arrangement of words and phrases in a
specific order. If you change the position of even one word, it’s
possible to change the meaning of the entire sentence. All languages
have specific rules about which words go where, and skilled writers
can manipulate these rules to make sentences sound more poetically.
What is syntax in linguistics?
 Syntax in linguistics refers to the arrangement of words and phrases.
Syntax covers topics like word order and grammar rules, such
as subject-verb agreement or the correct placement of direct and
indirect objects.
 Just how important is syntax in English? Changing the placement of
a word often changes the meaning of the sentence.
The basic rules of syntax in English
1)All sentences require a subject and a verb. However, imperative
sentences (commands) do not need to include their subject because it’s
assumed to be the person the sentence is directed at.
2) A single sentence should include one main idea. If a sentence
includes two or more ideas, it’s best to break it up into multiple
sentences.
3) The subject comes first, and the verb comes second. If the sentence
has objects, they come third, after the verb.
4) Subordinate clauses (dependent clauses) also require a subject and
verb. Below we explain more about how to use subordinate clauses in
sentence structure.
5) Adjectives and adverbs go in front of the words they describe. If
there are multiple adjectives describing the same noun, use the
proper adjective order, known as the “Royal Order.”
Types of syntax
 Now let’s look at the seven types of syntactic patterns so you can
make proper sentences and clauses with whatever words you want.
1)Subject → verb
 The dog barked.
 This is the standard syntactic pattern, including the minimum
requirements of just a subject and verb. The subject always comes
first.
2)Subject → verb → direct object
The dog carried the ball.
If the verb is transitive and uses a direct object, the direct object always goes after the verb.

3) Subject → verb → subject complement


The dog is playful.
The subject complement comes after the verb. Subject complements always use linking
verbs, like be or seem.

4) Subject → verb → adverbial complement


The dog ate hungrily.
Like subject complements, adverbial complements come after the verb (if there are no
objects). Be careful, because single adverbs can sometimes come before the verb; however,
these are not complements. If you’re not sure whether an adverb is a complement or not, try
removing it from the sentence to see if the meaning changes. If you find that removing it
does change the meaning, it’s an adverbial complement.
5) Subject → verb → indirect object → direct object
The dog gave me the ball.
Some sentences have both a direct object and an indirect object. In this case, the indirect object
comes right after the verb, and the direct object comes after the indirect object. Keep in mind that
objects of prepositions do not follow this pattern; for example, you can say, The dog gave the
ball to me.

6) Subject → verb → direct object → object complement


The dog made the ball dirty.
Object complements come after the direct object, similar to other complements.

7) Subject → verb → direct object → adverbial complement


The dog perked its ears up.
When the sentence uses both a direct object and an adverbial complement, the direct object comes
first, followed by the adverbial complement. In this syntax example, up is the adverbial
complement because it describes how the dog perked its ears.
Types of syntax
 Simple: Includes the minimum requirements for a sentence, with just a single independent
clause.
 We go to the beach in summer.
 2 Complex: An independent clause combined with one or more subordinate clauses.
 We go to the beach in summer when school is finished.
 3 Compound: Two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon.
 We go to the beach in summer, but my cat stays home.
 4 Compound-complex: Two independent clauses combined with one or more subordinate
clauses.
 We go to the beach in summer, but my cat stays home because he doesn’t own a swimsuit.
Thank you for attention!

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