What Is Syntax?
The word syntax is derived from the Greek word suntaxis, which means “to arrange together.” In essence, syntax is the set of principles that dictate the structure of a sentence.
For a sentence to be grammatically correct, words, clauses, or phrases must be arranged in a specific order. It’s also important to use proper punctuation to ensure the sentence is understandable. To know how to arrange words appropriately to make a coherent sentence, it is important to understand how syntax works.
Syntax Rules That Apply to a Sentence
From how the words should be ordered to which verb tense should be used, syntax is crucial to create a grammatically correct sentence, one can also use the grammar corrector tool to ensure the sentence is correct. Below are some common syntax rules that ought to be followed while writing.
- The word order in a basic, simple sentence should be: Subject → Verb → Object.
- The subject and verb are the most important parts of a sentence. Any sentence that doesn’t have a subject or a verb is considered an incomplete sentence or a fragment.
- Also, for a sentence to make sense, it’s important for it to follow subject-verb agreement rules.
- In case of imperative sentences, the subject may or may not be stated. In case the subject is not stated, then it is implied.
Different Types of Sentences and Syntax
In order to form comprehensible sentences, it’s necessary to know how to syntactically structure sentences. Below are different types of sentences and syntax that applies to them with examples.
Types of Syntax with Examples
There are four types of sentences, and each type has specific syntax.
Simple Sentence Syntax
A simple sentence should contain a subject and a verb (or a verbal phrase). It should also be an independent clause that conveys a complete thought.
- Example: The flight was delayed.
In the above example, “flight” is a noun and “delayed” is a verb. The entire sentence is an independent clause.
Compound Sentence Syntax
A compound sentence should have two independent clauses. These clauses should be joined by commas, semicolons, or coordinating conjunctions.
- Example: Eat your dinner, or you won’t get dessert.
In the above example, “Eat your dinner” and “you won’t get dessert” are both independent clauses joined by a comma and the coordinating conjunction “or.”
Complex Sentence Syntax
A complex sentence should contain one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
- Example: Although soccer is great, I prefer basketball.
In the above example, “I prefer basketball”is an independent clause and “Although soccer is great” is a dependent clause.
Note: A dependent clause depends on other clauses in a sentence because a dependent clause is incomplete on its own.
Compound-Complex Sentence Syntax
A compound-complex sentence should contain two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
- Example: You can pick up the cookies, if you like, or we can deliver them to you.
In the above example, “You can pick up the cookies” and “we can deliver them to you” are both independent clauses and “if you like” is a dependent clause.
Note: The sentence also has a comma and a coordinating conjunction, making it a compound-complex sentence.
Understanding how syntax works and following syntactic rules not only helps writers write better, but it also allows them to get creative, which in turn can help them gain and retain readers’ attention.
