Subsystems of Language - Syntax

Question 1

What is Syntax?

Answer 1

The study of sentence structures; the arrangement of words.

Question 2

Phrases

Answer 2

A collection of words that have grammatical relationship to each other. They lack a SUBJECT and VERB. They can have either, but never both.

Question 3

Types of Phrases

Answer 3

Noun phrases - noun and related words.
Verb phrases - main verb and related words.
Prepositional phrases - preposition and its object.
Adjective phrases - group of words functioning as an adjective.
Adverb phrases - adverb and sometimes preposition.

Question 4

What are Clauses?

Answer 4

Consists of a subject and a verb.

Question 5

Independent Clause

Answer 5

A sentence on its own, still makes sense.
e.g. The dog ran.

Question 6

Dependent Clause

Answer 6

Doesn’t make sense on its own, usually with a conjunction.
e.g. The dog ran “because it was scared”.

Question 7

What are Sentences?

Answer 7

A group of words with at least one independent clause that makes sense.

Question 8

Sentence Fragment

Answer 8

Incomplete independent clause. Informal.
e.g. “Potatoes 3 for $1”

Question 9

Simple Sentence

Answer 9

Only one independent clause.
e.g. “I bought three potatoes”

Question 10

Compound Sentence

Answer 10

Two independent clauses joined together by a coordinating conjunction. Equally important clauses.
e.g. “I bought three potatoes and Theo bought a carrot”

Question 11

Complex Sentence

Answer 11

One independent clause and one or two dependent clauses. Very similar to compound sentence. One is main other are subordinate.
e.g. “As I was hungry, I bought three potatoes”

Question 12

Compound-Complex Sentence

Answer 12

At least two independent clauses with at least one dependent clause.
e.g. “I bought three potatoes and Theo bought a carrot with the lot because we were both hungry”