Syntax (Sentence Types /Structures + phrases + clauses ) Flashcards
Declarative
Makes a statement/gives info. (Example: “The sun is shining.”)
Interrogative
Asks a question. (Example: “Is the sun shining?”)
Imperative
Gives a command or makes a request to do something. (Example: “Close the door.”)
Exclamatory
Expresses strong emotion. (Example: “What a beautiful day!”)
Simple
Contains one independent clause. (Example: “The dog barked.”)
Compound
Contains two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (e.g., and, but, or) or a semicolon. (Example: “The dog barked, and the cat hissed.”)
Complex
Contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. (Example: “Because it was raining, we stayed inside.”)
Compound-complex
Contains two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. (Example: “Because it was raining, we stayed inside, and we watched a movie.”)
EFFECT (on text)
Determines clarity, flow, and emphasis. Sentence length, complexity, and word order significantly impact readability and persuasiveness.
EFFECT on function + intention
Complex sentences can convey intricate ideas, while short, simple sentences create impact. Passive voice can shift focus. Rhetorical devices like parallelism enhance persuasiveness.
EFFECT on register
Formal texts often use complex sentence structures and passive voice. Informal texts favor shorter sentences and active voice.
EFFECT on TENOR
Syntax can reflect the power dynamic between participants. A superior might use direct commands (simple syntax), while a subordinate might use more complex and polite phrasing.
EFFECT on audience
Sentence complexity must be tailored to the audience’s reading level.
Phrase
A group of related words that does not contain both a subject and a predicate. It functions as a single unit within a sentence.
Example: “The big red ball” (noun phrase), “running quickly” (verb phrase), “in the park” (prepositional phrase).
Clause
A group of related words containing a subject and a predicate.
Independent clause
A clause that can stand alone as a sentence. (Example: “The cat sat on the mat.”)
Dependent clause
A clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence and relies on an independent clause for its meaning.
(Example: “Because it was raining” - needs an independent clause like “, we stayed inside.”)
Subject
The noun or pronoun that performs the action or is being described in a sentence.
Example: In the sentence “The dog chased the ball,” “dog” is the subject.
Verb
A word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being.
Example: “run,” “eat,” “is,” “become.”
Noun
A word that names a person, place, thing, or idea.
Example: “dog,” “city,” “table,” “freedom.”
Adjectives
A word that modifies or describes a noun.
Example: “big,” “red,” “happy.”
Adverb
A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
Example: “quickly,” “loudly,” “very.”
Preposition
A word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in the sentence (e.g., location, direction, time).
- Example: “on,” “in,” “at,” “to,” “from.”
Conjunction
A word that connects words, phrases, or clauses.
Coordinating Conjunction
Connects elements of equal grammatical rank (e.g., and, but, or). (Example: “I like tea and coffee.”)
Subordinating Conjunction:
*Connects a dependent clause to an independent clause
(e.g., because, although, if). (Example: “Because it was raining, we stayed inside.”)
Grammaticality
Whether a sentence conforms to the rules of syntax in a particular language.
Example: “The dog chased the ball” is grammatical. “Dog the ball chased the” is ungrammatical.
