SYNTAX

SYNTAX

Syntax is the study of the principles and processes by the which sentences are constructed in particular languages. Syntactic investigation of a given language has as its goal the construction of a grammar that can be Viewed as a device of some sort for producing the sentences of the language under analysis. "(Noam Chomsky, 2002: 11)Chomsky said that the syntax is the lesson / lecture on the principles and processes in which the sentences are arranged in a specific language. Research on the specific language syntax has a purpose of its own in which the arrangement of grammar can be seen as a tool to generate a sentence in a language. Another expert who explains the syntax definition is Matthew, quoted by Van Vallin and LaPolla (1997: 1), he said:'The term' syntax 'is from the Ancient Greek syntaxis, a verbal noun the which literally means "arrangement" or "setting out together". Traditionally, it Refers to the branch of grammar dealing with the ways in the which words, with or without Appropriate inflections, are arranged to show connections of meaning within the sentence. 'Matthew explained that the term verbal noun syntax is taken from the ancient Greek language which literlek means "arrangement". Generally, syntax refers to the grammar field that explains about the ways words, with or without inflection, arranged to show the relationship of meaning in a sentence. In line with the explanation of Matthew, Van Valin (2001: 1) expresses the essence of the syntax itself as follows:'First and foremost, syntax offer section with how sentences are constructed, and users of human language employ a striking variety of possible arrangements of the elements in sentences.'According to Van Vallin first and foremost thing is that the syntax that discusses how kalilmat was compiled and syntax also discuss how humans as beings who speak using a variety of arrangements of the element in the sentence.

Correct and Incorrect Syntax 

• Incorrect - While watching a movie, people who text on their phone are very annoying.
• Correct - People who text on their phone while watching a movie are very annoying.

The phrase "while watching a movie" modifies the noun phrase "People who text on their phone" by explaining when they text. The modifier should follow the noun phrase of the sentence.

• Incorrect - Happy about her upcoming promotion, the trip home was full of singing.
• Correct - Happy about her upcoming promotion, Sammie sang all the way home.

The phrase "Sammie sang all the way home" is more descriptive than "the trip home was full of singing.

• Incorrect - Come for a visit I have plenty of food.
• Correct - Come for a visit! I have plenty of food.

Breaking the words into two sentences allows for an exclamation mark which increases the impact of "Come for a visit!"

• Incorrect - Before we go to the movies.
• Correct - I need to rest before we go to the movies.

"Before we go to the movies" is a sentence fragment. Adding "I need to rest" makes the words a complete sentence.

• Incorrect - I gave him money I stole from the store.
• Correct - I gave him the money I stole from the store.

Adding the word "the" further explains which money was given.

• Incorrect - To the movies we are going.
• Correct - We are going to the movies.

Types of sentences containing a subject and a predicate

Syntax usually examines sentences that have a clear inner division into subject and predicate.  There are 3 types of subject/predicate structured sentences:

a) a simple sentence contains at least one subject and one predicate:  John read Pushkin.
b) a compound sentence is two or more simple sentences joined into a single sentence:  John read Pushkin and Mary read Updike.  Each simple sentence maintains its own internal syntactic structure.  They may be joined by a coordinating conjunction such as and or or, or asyndetically(without a conjunction).
c) a complex sentence is a sentence in which one of the syntactic roles is played by an embedded sentence:  I made students read Chomsky.  The simple sentence students read Chomsky plays the role of object of the verb made.  Because the syntax of the two parts of a complex sentence is intertwined, it is often not possible to divide them into two free-standing simple sentences.   *I made.  Students read Chomsky.  I saw Mary run.