Syntax — Definition, Rules, and Examples
What is syntax?
Syntax is the arrangement of words and phrases to create a complete sentence. A sentence typically includes a combination of a subject, verb, object, and other parts of speech.
| Sentence Part | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | who or what is performing the action identified in the sentence | Mary jumped. |
| Verb | identifies the action of the subject | Mary jumped. |
| Direct Object | who or what is receiving the action of the sentence | Mary jumped into the pool. |
| Indirect Object | the receiver of the direct object; an indirect object must connect to a direct object | Mary jumped into Ian’s pool. |
| Subject Complement | modifies the subject by describing it further | Mary is a great swimmer. |
| Object Complement | modifies the object by describing it further | Mary jumped into Ian’s inground pool. |
| Adjectival Modifier | describes nouns and pronouns | Ian’s pool was very expensive. |
| Adverbial Modifier | describes verbs, adjectives, and adverbs | Mary quickly jumped into the pool. |
| Independent Clause | group of words containing a subject and verb and communicates a complete thought | Ian invited Mary over to swim. |
| Dependent Clause | a clause that does not articulate a complete thought even though it contains a subject and a verb; dependent clauses cannot stand alone as a sentence | Ian could not swim because of his injured foot. |
Types of syntax
All English sentences fall into one of the four main types of syntax: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex.
Simple sentences contain a single independent clause, which consists of a subject, object, and verb.
He drove the car.
| He | drove | the car. |
| subject | verb | object |
Compound sentences are made up of two or more independent clauses joined through the use of a coordinating conjunction (for, and, not, but, or, yet, so).
He drove the car, and she read the directions.
| He drove the car, | and | she read the directions. |
| independent clause | coordinating conjunction | independent clause |
Complex sentences include an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses that are connected using a subordinating conjunction (e.g., although, because, that).
He stopped driving for the night because of the snow.
| He stopped driving for the night | because | of the snow. |
| independent clause | subordinating conjunction | dependent clause |
Compound-complex sentences are comprised of multiple independent clauses connected to at least one dependent clause.
He drove the car, and she read the directions after leaving rest stop.
| He drove the car, | and | she read the directions |
| independent clause | coordinating conjunction | independent clause |
| after | leaving the rest stop. | |
| subordinating conjunction | dependent clause |
Syntactic rules
When structuring a grammatical sentence, the following set of rules apply:
A complete sentence must contain a minimum of a subject and a verb.
Generally, separate ideas require individual sentences.
Syntactic patterns indicate where each part of a sentence is typically located, or the word order. There are six main patterns.
S + V: subject + verb
Sarah smiled.
S + V + O: subject + verb + direct object
Sarah opened the book.
S + V + C: subject + verb + complement
Sarah is a librarian.
S + V + IO + O: subject + verb + indirect object + direct object
Sarah handed the book to Matt.
S + V + O + C: subject + verb + direct object + complement
Sarah got her glasses dirty.
S + V + O + A: subject + verb + direct object + adverbial
Sarah dropped the book on the floor.
Syntax examples
The following examples are categorized based upon the type of English syntax used to structure a sentence:
Simple
Steve left the room.
Olivia danced at the wedding.
They ran down the street.
Compound
Eileen went to the zoo, and Brian went to the park.
Mike wanted to leave early, but Polly wanted to stay late.
We wanted to stay at the beach, yet we decided to go home early.
Complex
Because she was late for work, her boss decided to dock her pay.
Even though Kevin plays basketball, he likes watching football.
Despite studying all night, I was unable to pass my math test.
Compound-Complex
Tyler does not like rollercoasters that go upside down, but he likes rides that spin.
Vivian usually runs every night right after dinner, but it was too cold outside.
I need to go to bed early because I have to work, so I’m leaving in an hour.
Syntax in poetry
Poets often modify the typical structure of a sentence; therefore, they do not always follow the rules of syntax. By placing words in an order that differs from the typical structure of a sentence, poets can emphasize certain words and ideas.
One of the more popular poets who is well-known for his use of atypical syntax includes E.E. Cummings. By ignoring the rules of syntax, Cummings stresses the impact of his love in the following poem:
“[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in]” by E.E. Cummings
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
Another famous writer who used his understanding of syntax was Lewis Carroll in the poem “The Jabberwocky,” which was featured in Through the Looking Glass. Within the poem, he incorporates a variety of made-up and nonsensical words.
However, because of the placement of those words (i.e., subject + verb + object; adjectives before nouns; adverbs ending in -ly), readers can still comprehend the basic idea of the poem due to their understanding of sentence structure (syntax).
“The Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll
’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!”
He took his vorpal sword in hand;
Long time the manxome foe he sought—
So rested he by the Tumtum tree
And stood awhile in thought.
And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!
One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.
“And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!”
He chortled in his joy.
’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.