Syntax

Syntax refers to the set of rules, principles, and processes that govern the structure of sentences in a given language. It involves the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences.

Essentially it is looking at the grammatical aspect of. the text.

Here are some common examples of what you are expected to find and write about when writing your syntax paragraph:

• article (definite and indefinite): a word used to modify a noun

  • definite → ‘the’ referring to a specific object/subject

  • indefinite → ‘a / an’ referring to a general object/subject

• copula: a grammatical term which refers to a linking word. eg. ‘to be’ which connects the speaker of a sentence and a subject complement.

  Here are some additional examples of copulas:

  • "He is happy." ("is" links the subject "He" with the adjective "happy")

  • "The skyscraper looks tall." ("looks" serves as a linking verb between the subject "The skyscraper" and the adjective "tall")

  • "They are friends." ("are" connects the subject "They" with the noun "friends")

  • "It seems that the weather will change." ("seems" links the subject "It" with the clause "that the weather will change")

  • "The soup smells delicious." ("smells" connects the subject "The soup" with the adjective "delicious")

• double negative

• infinitive: the base form of a verb, typically preceded by the word "to." It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. For example, in the sentence "To eat is important," the infinitive "to eat" serves as the subject of the sentence. Infinitives can express actions or states without being limited by tense or subject. They are often used in various grammatical structures, including after certain verbs (e.g., "I want to go").

• preposition: a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other elements in a sentence. Prepositions often indicate direction, location, time, or introduce an object. For example, in the sentence "The book is on the table," the preposition "on" shows the relationship between "book" and "table." Other common prepositions include "in," "at," "by," "for," and "with."

• auxiliary verb: helping verb eg. do

• pronoun

• verb phrase

• contraction

present simple, present continuous, present perfect

• present simple:

  Usage: Describes general facts, habits, routines, or things that are always true.

  Structure: Subject + base verb (add -s for third person singular).

  • Examples:

    • She walks to school every day.

    • They play soccer on weekends.

    • Water boils at 100°C.

• present perfect:

  Usage: Refers to actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past but have relevance to the present, or actions that started in the past and continue now.

  Structure: Subject + have/has + past participle (third form of the verb).

  • Examples:

    • I have visited Paris twice.

    • She has lived here for five years.

    • We have already eaten dinner.

• present continuous:

  Usage: Refers to actions happening right now, temporary actions, or future plans.

  Structure: Subject + am/is/are + verb ending in -ing.

  • Examples:

    • He is reading a book right now.

    • They are staying at a hotel for the weekend.

    • I am meeting my friend later.