Grammar and Syntax
Grammar - The study of the classes of words, their inflections, and their functions and relations in the
sentence
Syntax - The way in which words are coupled to form logical statements (phrases and clauses).
Incorrect: To the movies we are going.
Correct: We are going to the movies.
Syntax - The way in which linguistic elements (as words) are put together to form constituents (as phrases or clauses)
Parallel Structure - Parallel construction, requires that expressions of similar content and function should be outwardly similar
What is a sentence? A word or clause used to express a complete thought usually beginning with a capital letter and ending with a punctuation mark.
Common Sentence Level Errors:
Sentence Fragment- A group of words that are incapable of standing alone; incomplete thought
Example 1: Playing hard during the basketball game. (Subject and verb missing)
She was playing hard during the basketball game. (Correct)
Example 2: In Claflin University’s Spoken Word Showcase just before the Greek Step
Show. (Incorrect)
Some of the schools best poets recited poems in Claflin University’s Spoken Word Showcase
just before the Greek Step Show. (Correct)
Parallel Construction- A rule which necessitates that the phrases of like substance and purpose should be externally related to make it easier for the reader to understand what ideas are being conveyed
Example 3: Richard likes to write poetry, to play golf, and reading novels. (Incorrect)
Richard likes writing poetry, playing golf, and reading novels. (Correct)
Syntax- The order in which words are put together to form sentences
Example 4: To the movies we are going. (Incorrect)
We are going to the movies. (Correct)
Example 5: Whose car is this, I think Iknow. (Incorrect)
I think I know whose car this is. (Correct)
Run-on sentences- Sentences that are not punctuated correctly
Example 6: She listens to jazz she listens to neo-soul while studying. (Incorrect)
She listens to jazz, and she listens to neo-soul while studying. (Correct)
Example 7: She watched every show and movie that came on HBO he watched every episode of
Sportscenter that came on ESPN. (Incorrect)
She watched every show and movie that came on HBO; he watched every episode of
Sportscenter that came on ESPN. (Correct)