Syntax Practice
Syntax is the way words are arranged in sentences. In other words, syntax is sentence structure.
Look at:
1. Word Order
2. Sentence Length
3. Punctuation
Word Order – changing word order changes the meaning in sentences.
Examples:
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Jim said that he drives only a truck. (He drives nothing else)
Jim said that only he drives a truck. (No one else drives a truck)
Only Jim said that he drives a truck. (No one else said it)
Sentence Length – sentences could be short or long to create an effect on the reader.
Examples:
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Help!
He ran. He shivered. He gasped.
The boy swam through the river, keeping a steady pace with each stroke, thinking of the medal
at the finish line, hoping to see his family there, wishing for acknowledgment for his hard work
and motivation.
Punctuation – used to catch the reader’s attention and emphasize some importance.
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Semi-colon
Colon
Dash
Italics
Ellipses
Example #1
When I woke up it was light. It was awfully quiet. Too quiet. I mean, our house just isn’t naturally
quiet. The radio’s usually going full blast and the TV is turned up loud and people are wrestling and
knocking over lamps and tripping over the coffee table and yelling at each other. Something was wrong,
but I couldn’t quite figure it out. Something had happened…I couldn’t remember what.
1. The author starts the passage with 2 short sentences, a sentence fragment, and another short
sentence. Then, she writes two longer sentences. What is the purposes of each of these
sentences?
2. The author uses ellipses in the last sentence to show that something has been left out. From
what you read, what do you think was left out?
3. Think about a time you got a present you knew you wouldn’t like – you knew it even before it
was opened. Write a sentence about this experience. Create tension by using ellipses to show
that some important words have been left out.
Example #2
Like sunshine after a storm were the peaceful weeks which followed.
1. What is the subject of the sentence? What is the main verb? Is this the usual order of subject
and verb in English?
2. How would the meaning and impact of the sentence be different if it read: The peaceful weeks
which followed were like sunshine after a storm.
3. Reorganize the sentence below. Start with the simile and reverse the normal order of the
subject and verb: Spring break came like a time of calm winds after a hurricane.