ENGL 384: Syntax
Fall, 2015/1436
What is Syntax?
It is all about the structure of sentences, and what determines which words go
where.
The main characteristics taken into account in syntax are morphology (the
structure of language and the sounds it uses) and the principles which govern
sentence construction. Syntax also notes the differences between written and
spoken language, as spontaneous speech will often ignore standard structural
rules. By studying syntax you will learn about different parts of speech,
including just how many types of verbs there are, and many complicated
structural phenomena such as why the location of contextual information
determines who a pronoun is really talking about.
1) What is the difference between "Syntax" "Semantics" & "Grammar"?
a. Syntax - how the symbols are combined to form a valid expression
or statement.
b. Semantics - the meaning of those symbols that form an expression
or statement.
c. Grammar - a set of rules that define the syntax for a particular
language.
2) Sometimes we hear people say that some construct is "grammatically
incorrect but syntactically it is correct" what does it mean?
a.
"grammatically incorrect but syntactically it is correct":
 He go to school. [S+V+C] / [Subject + Predicate]
b. "grammatically and syntactically correct":
 He goes to school. [S+V+C]
3) In natural language when groups of words or phrases, which behave
as a single unit, can combine together, they form bigger constituents
and eventually what we call ……………………….
Answer: [sentences]
4) Basic Terminology
Ms. Rasha Ali
introduction
ENGL 384: Syntax
Fall, 2015/1436
a. Categories and functions?
Grammatical Categories= words, phrases, clauses …
Grammatical Function= subject, predicate, complement
….
b. Predicate: the action (verb)
c. Complement: the object, e.g. Nadia sings a song.
d. Clause: is an expression which contains a subject and a predicate, and
which may contain other type of elements.
e.
Argument: Entities involve in the act of the verb, e.g. john smokes
cigars
f. Constituents: Structural units
g. Adjunct: an expression which serves to provide (optional) additional
information about the time or place (or manner or purpose, ..)of an
activity, e.g. after dinner, in his house. (page 249, 227)
h.
Topic: Cigars, the president never smokes them. (page 249, 229)
i. Comment: Cigars, the president never smokes them. (page 249, 230)
j.
English pronouns:
Nominative
I
Ms. Rasha Ali
accusative
me
genitive
my/mine
introduction