syntax Flashcards
what is syntax
study of sentence structures and the rules governing how to put together sentences
what is a phrase
parts of a sentence, cant make sentence alone
noun phrase
contains noun and word describing noun eg THE DANCING GOAT looked silly
verb phrase
main verb plus any related words eg the song WAS PLAYED LOUDLY TO THE AUDIENCE
adjective phrase
group of words functioning as an adjective eg they wore a BRIGHTLY COLOURED FUZZY RED coat
prepositional phrase
consists of preposition + object of preposition + other modifiers eg i will see you IN THE MORNING
adverb phrase
consists of adverb or words acting as adverbs within a sentence eg the time passed SO SLOWLY
what is a clause
the building block of sentences consisting of subject and predicate
subject
main noun interacting with the verb eg SHE gave the dog a treat
predicate
everything not included in the subject eg the potato cakes WERE FRIED LAST THURSDAY
direct object
noun phrase directly affected by the verb eg me in she likes me
indirect object
indirect object eg the walls in he gave the walls a fresh paint
independent clause
can stand alone in a sentence eg the cat meowed
dependent/subordinate clause
cant stand alone eg because she was angry
what are the 5 sentence structures
- fragment
- simple sentence
- compound sentence
- complex sentence
- compound-complex sentence
sentence fragment
act as sentence but not complete eg under the bed
simple sentence
contains single independent clause eg mary likes tea
compound sentence
contains at least 2 main clauses joined by conjunction or semicolon eg mary went to work but john went to the party
complex sentence
contains single independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses eg our dog barks when she hears a noise
compound-complex sentence
must have 3 clauses in total eg john didn’t come home because he was ill so Mary was not happy
what is a sentence type
refers to purpose of sentence
- declarative
- interrogative
- imperative
- exclamatory
declarative sentence
to assert/state something eg it is raining outside
interrogative sentence
forms questions/interrogates eg why is the cat inside
imperative sentence
provides orders eg don’t be ridiculous!
exclamatory sentence
demonstrates emotion eg you silly person!
