Syntax: Definition, Examples of English Syntax

 Syntax: Definition, Examples of English Syntax

 Language can be studied on four levels.

 1.   Listening

2.   Speaking

3.   Reading

4.   Writing

 All these four forms of expression are used in all languages around the world. When one wants to write in a particular language, he/she has to follow the prescribed pattern of that language. Every language has its own pattern or structure of writing or making meaningful sentences. In common terms, this structure of language is known as SYNTAX.

 

Definition of Syntax: Syntax is the grammatical structure of words and phrases to create coherent sentences.

 The format in which words and phrases are arranged to create sentences is called syntax.The words must be arranged in such a manner that the sentences are meaningful.

 For example, we have these words: Learn / Language / I / English

 Learn English language I. (Incorrect)

English I language learn. (Incorrect)

Language learn I English. (Incorrect)

I learn English language. (Correct)

 Here, the first three sentences (?) are not meaningful since they violate the basic syntax (SUBJECT + VERB + OBJECT) of English language.

Let’s look at one more example of how meaningful sentences can be formed even while changing the order of the words.a sentence can be rearranged to create varied syntax.

 Examples of Syntax in a Sentence:

• The boy jumped happily. (Correct)
• The boy happily jumped. (Correct)
• Happily, the boy jumped. (Correct)

In the above example, the syntax (SUBJECT + VERB + OBJECT)remains the same, but the position of the adverb (happily) is changed.By rearranging just one word in the sentence, a variety of syntax is formed. Each is grammatically correct and acceptable English language form. The writer uses different syntax to make writing more interesting or to emphasize a particular point.

 But it must be remembered that the words and phrases must follow rules of English syntax for correct arrangement to write meaningful sentences.

Syntax vs. Diction:

Syntax and diction are different concepts in grammar and in literature.

Syntax is the arrangement of words that make a sentence.

Diction is the choice and arrangement of words in a sentence.

 The following examples have similar syntax but different diction.

• The boy leant English happily.
• The girl cooked a delicious dish.
• The dog barked loudly.

 Now mark the following sentences:

 ·      The dog learnt English happily. (Right syntax, but wrong diction)

·      The boy barked loudly. (Right syntax, but wrong diction)

 Take another example:

 ·      Colorless green ideas slept furiously. (Wrong diction)

         (SUBJECT)           (VERB)

 In other words, diction and syntax focus on different things. Diction focuses on word choice, while syntax focuses on the order and structure of those words.

Syntax of English Sentences:

In English, a strong, active voice sentence will always have the subject doing the action of the sentence. These sentences will follow a basic subject-verb-object format.

Below are a few examples of different types of syntax in English. Each of these examples has different syntax.

Simple sentence follows a Subject + Verb format.

• The boy jumped.
• The girl sang.

Compound sentence has more than one subject or verb.

• The boy jumped and the girl sang.
• I did not go to the concert but I went to the fair.

Complex sentence has a subordinating clause.

• The boy jumped even though he was nervous.
• Because she was excited, the girl sang.

Types of Simple Sentence:

The syntax of Simple Sentence is: SUB + VERB + OBJ

There are four types of simple sentences:

1.   Declarative: I like tea.

2.   Interrogative: Do you like tea?

3.   Imperative: Put this notebook in the cupboard.

4.   Exclamatory: What a wonderful idea!

Sentence can have SUB + VERB + OBJ. But all these can have different parts of speech. For example:

The boy     has submitted      the      assignment.

(SUB)          (VERB)             (OBJECT)

(NOUN PHRASE) + (VERB PHRASE) + (NOUN PHRASE)

 

1. Noun.
2. Pronoun.
3. Verb.
4. Adjective.
5. Adverb.
6. Preposition.
7. Conjunction.
8. Interjection.