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There are two parts of the sentence that are very important in analyzing syntax, namely
Phrases and clauses.
1. Phrases
Phrases are a group of words that have a function as a unit in a sentence ( a group of
words that make up a grammatical unit)
Phrase is divided into several, namely :
- Nominal phrase ( Noun phrase )
Noun Phrase are phrases derived from nouns that function as the subject or
object of the sentence. A noun phrase is a noun or pronominal which is preceded
by a determinant or article or a noun that is preceded by one or more adjectives
which are entirely preceded by the article.
Example : - my sister’s room is full of dolls (NP)
- Verb phrase
The verb phrase is a phrase consisting of a combination of axiliary verbs with
verbs.verb phrases consist of single phrases which are sometimes a combination
of main verbs and auxiliary verbs, but can also be added specifiers,complements,
and adjuncts.
Example : - mom is making cakes (vp)
- Adjective phrase
Adjective phrases or adjectives are phrases derived from adjectives used to
characterize nouns or pronouns.
Example :- he has really unsafe habits
- Adverbial phrase
Adverbial phrase are phrases that function as adverbs used to describe verbs.
Example :the children argued all too loudly
- Prepositional Phrase
Prepositional phrase begin with a preposition and the preposition is considered
the head of the phrase
Example : she did really well on the final
2. Clause
- Free clause (main clause) is a free clause (independent clause) available in
compound sentences (complex sentences).
Free clause (independent clause) is a clause that has a complete structure and is
approved to become a mayor.
Example : Because she was excited, the girl sang.
- Adjective clause
Movable clauses as adjectives are indicated by the existence of relative
pronouns, namely who, and that
e.g., : This is the exercise that we need to do
- Adverbial clause
Clause denied that it was moved as a sign of information with the subordinates
of the conjunction.
e.g., : Do this exercise before the week is over
- Comparative clause
Comparative clause express equality or similarity in manner and degree
e.g., : This exercise is harder than the one I did last week
As stated above in the definition of syntax, every proper grammatical sentence or utterance is
an example of syntax. Here are some examples of how syntax governs English.
Agreement: She is a person. versus She am a person.
Case: He took me to the restaurant. versus He took I to the restaurant.
Reflexive pronouns: I bought myself a new shirt. versus I bought my a new shirt.
Word order: We ate fish for dinner. versus For dinner ate we fish.
Compound-complex sentences contain two independent clauses and more dependent clauses.
Compound-complex Syntax Examples:
Even though he was nervous, the boy jumped and he landed across the stream.
The girl sang and the woman shrieked because they were excited.
The phrase “while watching a movie” modifies the noun phrase “people who text on their
phone” by explaining when they text. The modifier should followthe noun phrase of he
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.
Breaking the words into two sentences allows for an exclamation mark which increases the
impact of “come for a visit!”
“Before we go to the movies” is a sentence fragment. Adding “ I need to rest” makes the words
a complete sentence
Adding the word “the” further explains which money was given
Reversing the order of the words makes this a more direct sentence
Incorrect : you can’t go to the movies. Or buy popcorn without any money
Correct : you can’t go to the moviesor buy popcorn without any money
Expressed as two sentences, it says you cannot go to movies. It doesn’t say why. It also leaves a
sentence fragment of “or buy popcorn without any money. By combining the two sentences it
makes it clear that the money is needed for both the movies AND the popcorn.
Incorrect : if I took the bus, I will get there in 20 minutes
Correct :if I took the bus, I wouldget there in 20 minutes
Incorrect : I’m getting the car right now. I can be there in no time
Correct :I’m getting the car right now. I should be there in no time
A comma is necessary in alist of adjectives in order to set them apart from each other
Example Of Morphology
Lexical and Grammatical Morphemes
Nouns, verbs, adjectives ({boy}, {buy}, {big}) are typical lexical morphemes.
Morpheme : A morpheme is the smallest unit of meaning we have – that is, the smallest
piece of a word that contributes meaning to a word.
Free :A free morpheme is one that can stand on its own – that is, it’s an entire word.
Free morphemes may appear with other bound morphemes attached to them; crucially,
though, they don’t need to have other morphemes on them.
Bound : A bound morpheme cannot stand on its own, but rather must be attached to a
free morpheme whenever you say it.
Affix : A morpheme which attaches to roots (or stems), changing their meaning in
regular ways.