SYNTAX

In general, syntax means a set of grammar rules in words or clauses in making

sentences. Usually, in a sentence that is announced as a conversation, we see syntactic
elements in words or clauses that we usually refer to as subjects,verbs and objects.
Subjects,verbs,and objects in the syntax rules are always sequential. At the same time, in some
cases,syntax rules allow other words or clauses such as adverbs or information that clarify the
subject,verb,and object to add. Syntax word comes from greek which is a combination of syntax
words which means “together”, and the word taxis which means “Sequence”. So syntax is one
of the branches of linguistics that studies rules that determine how words form phrases and
phrases to form sentences. Etymologically the term syntax is to put words together into groups
of words or sentences and groups of words into sentences.

There are two parts of the sentence that are very important in analyzing syntax, namely
Phrases and clauses.

1. Phrases
Phrases are a group of words that have a function as a unit in a sentence ( a group of
words that make up a grammatical unit)
Phrase is divided into several, namely :
- Nominal phrase ( Noun phrase )
Noun Phrase are phrases derived from nouns that function as the subject or
object of the sentence. A noun phrase is a noun or pronominal which is preceded
by a determinant or article or a noun that is preceded by one or more adjectives
which are entirely preceded by the article.
Example : - my sister’s room is full of dolls (NP)

- Verb phrase
The verb phrase is a phrase consisting of a combination of axiliary verbs with
verbs.verb phrases consist of single phrases which are sometimes a combination
of main verbs and auxiliary verbs, but can also be added specifiers,complements,
and adjuncts.
Example : - mom is making cakes (vp)

- Adjective phrase
Adjective phrases or adjectives are phrases derived from adjectives used to
characterize nouns or pronouns.
Example :- he has really unsafe habits
 - Adverbial phrase
Adverbial phrase are phrases that function as adverbs used to describe verbs.
Example :the children argued all too loudly

- Prepositional Phrase
Prepositional phrase begin with a preposition and the preposition is considered
the head of the phrase
Example : she did really well on the final

2. Clause
- Free clause (main clause) is a free clause (independent clause) available in
compound sentences (complex sentences).
Free clause (independent clause) is a clause that has a complete structure and is
approved to become a mayor.
Example : Because she was excited, the girl sang.

- Bounded clause (Dependent clause)

The approved clause is a clause that has an incomplete structure, which can be
denied as non-conjunction, subordinate. Successful clauses can also be defined
as clauses that cannot stand alone as perfect sentences, only have potential as
imperfect sentences.
Example : My mother sang me a song
You should eat this

Judging from its function, this clause can be distinguished, namely :

- Noun clause
Clauses that move as nouns are indicated by why-words, how, and that.
e.g., : This is what he wants

- Adjective clause
Movable clauses as adjectives are indicated by the existence of relative
pronouns, namely who, and that
e.g., : This is the exercise that we need to do

- Adverbial clause
Clause denied that it was moved as a sign of information with the subordinates
of the conjunction.
e.g., : Do this exercise before the week is over
 - Comparative clause
Comparative clause express equality or similarity in manner and degree
e.g., : This exercise is harder than the one I did last week

Common Examples OfSyntax

As stated above in the definition of syntax, every proper grammatical sentence or utterance is
an example of syntax. Here are some examples of how syntax governs English.
 Agreement: She is a person. versus She am a person.
 Case: He took me to the restaurant. versus He took I to the restaurant.
 Reflexive pronouns: I bought myself a new shirt. versus I bought my a new shirt.
 Word order: We ate fish for dinner. versus For dinner ate we fish.

Each Of These Examples Has Different Syntax

Simple sentences follow a subject-verb format.

Simple Syntax Examples:
 The boy jumped.
 The girl sang.

Compound sentences have more than one subject or verb.

Compound Syntax Examples:
 The boy jumped and the girl sang.
 I did not go to the concert but I went to the fair.

Complex sentences contain a subordinating clause.

Complex Syntax Examples:
 The boy jumped even though he was nervous.
 Because she was excited, the girl sang.

Compound-complex sentences contain two independent clauses and more dependent clauses.
Compound-complex Syntax Examples:
 Even though he was nervous, the boy jumped and he landed across the stream.
 The girl sang and the woman shrieked because they were excited.

Examples Of Correct And Incorrect Syntax

  Incorrect : while watching the movie, people who text on their phone are very
annoying
 Correct : people who text on their phone while watching a movie are very
annoying.

The phrase “while watching a movie” modifies the noun phrase “people who text on their
phone” by explaining when they text. The modifier should followthe noun phrase of he
sentence.

 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.

The phrase “sammie sang all the way home” is more descriptive than “the trip home was full of
singing.

 Incorrect : Come for a visit I have plenty of food

 Correct : come for a visit ! I have plenty of food

Breaking the words into two sentences allows for an exclamation mark which increases the
impact of “come for a visit!”

 Incorrect : before we go to the movies

 Correct :I need to rest before we go to the movies

“Before we go to the movies” is a sentence fragment. Adding “ I need to rest” makes the words
a complete sentence

 Incorrect : I gave him money I stole from the store

 Correct : I gave him the money I stole from the store

Adding the word “the” further explains which money was given

 Incorrect : to the movies we are going

 Correct :we are goingto the movies

Reversing the order of the words makes this a more direct sentence

 Incorrect : you can’t go to the movies. Or buy popcorn without any money
 Correct : you can’t go to the moviesor buy popcorn without any money

Expressed as two sentences, it says you cannot go to movies. It doesn’t say why. It also leaves a
sentence fragment of “or buy popcorn without any money. By combining the two sentences it
makes it clear that the money is needed for both the movies AND the popcorn.
  Incorrect : if I took the bus, I will get there in 20 minutes
 Correct :if I took the bus, I wouldget there in 20 minutes

Verb tense was changed

 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

“can” means a am able. “should” is projecting that I am able.

 Incorrect : this house is dusty filthy and stinky

 Correct : this house dusty, filthy and stinky

A comma is necessary in alist of adjectives in order to set them apart from each other

Example Of Morphology
Lexical and Grammatical Morphemes

Nouns, verbs, adjectives ({boy}, {buy}, {big}) are typical lexical morphemes.

Prepositions, articles, conjunctions ({of}, {the}, {but}) are grammatical morphemes.

Morpheme : A morpheme is the smallest unit of meaning we have – that is, the smallest
piece of a word that contributes meaning to a word.

Example :The word trainings has 3 morphemes in it: train-ing-s.

Free :A free morpheme is one that can stand on its own – that is, it’s an entire word.

Examples :the, cat, run, pretty, trapezoid

Free morphemes may appear with other bound morphemes attached to them; crucially,
though, they don’t need to have other morphemes on them.

Bound : A bound morpheme cannot stand on its own, but rather must be attached to a
free morpheme whenever you say it.

Examples : re-, un-, -est, -er, -fer (see below)

Some morphemes are roots; others are affixes

Root :The primary piece of meaning in a word, to which affixes can be added. In
English, a root is often a word itself.

Examples : cat, pretty, -fer

Affix : A morpheme which attaches to roots (or stems), changing their meaning in
regular ways.

Examples : re-, un-, -est, -er, ing, -s

Affixes are generally either prefixes or suffixes.

Prefix :An affix that goes before a root.

Examples :re-, un- (re-read, un-loved)

Suffix :An affix that goes after a root.

Examples :-est, -er, -s (quick-est, quick-er, read-s, book-s)