Syntax

• I read before about syntax in internet, syntax is :

       What is Syntax?

Syntax – the part of linguistics that studies sentence structure:

• word order:

I want these books.

*want these I books.

• agreement – subject and verb, determiner and noun, often must agree:

He wants this book.

*He want this book.

I want these books.

*I want this books.

• How many complements, which prepositions and forms (cases):

I give Mary a book.

*I see Mary a book.

I see her.

*I see she.

• hierarchical structure – what modifies what

We need more (intelligent leaders).

(more of intelligent leaders)

We need (more intelligent) leaders.

(leaders that are more intelligent)

• etc.

Syntax is not about meaning! Sentences can have no sense and still be grammatically correct:

Colorless green ideas sleep furiously. – nonsense, but grammatically correct

*Sleep ideas colorless furiously green. – grammatically incorrect

Syntax: From Greek syntaxis from syn (together) + taxis (arrangement).

Cf. symphony, synonym, synthesis; taxonomy, tactics