Syntax is the part of linguistics that studies the structure and formation of sentences. It explains how words and phrases are arranged to form correct sentences. A sentence could make no sense and still be correct from the syntax point of view as long as words are in their appropriate spots and agree with each other. Here is a classic example by Noam Chomsky, a linguist, that illustrates a case in which a sentence is correct but does not make sense:
Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.
To create grammatically correct and acceptable English sentences, we have to follow the English rules for syntax.
Types of Syntax (Sentence Structures)
Types of sentences and their syntax modes include simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences, and compound-complex sentences. Compound sentences are two simple sentences joined by a conjunction. Complex sentences have dependent clauses, and compound-complex sentences have both types included.
Simple sentence: The girl ran. Structure: Subject-verb.
Compound sentence: The girl ran the marathon, and her cousin did, too. Structure: Subject-verb-object-conjunction-subject-verb.
Complex sentence: Although they were tired after the marathon, the cousins decided to go to a celebration at the park. Structure: Dependent clause-subject-verb-object.
Compound-complex sentence: Although they weren't fond of crowds, this was different, they decided, because of the common goal that had brought everyone together. Structure: Four clauses, dependent and independent
