syntax

[ sin-taks ]

/ ˈsɪn tæks /

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noun

Linguistics.

the study of the rules for the formation of grammatical sentences in a language.
the study of the patterns of formation of sentences and phrases from words.
the rules or patterns so studied: English syntax.
a presentation of these: a syntax of English.
an instance of these: the syntax of a sentence.

Logic.

that branch of modern logic that studies the various kinds of signs that occur in a system and the possible arrangements of those signs, complete abstraction being made of the meaning of the signs.
the outcome of such a study when directed upon a specified language.

a system or orderly arrangement.

Computers. the grammatical rules and structural patterns governing the ordered use of appropriate words and symbols for issuing commands, writing code, etc., in a particular software application or programming language.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of syntax

1565–75; short for earlier syntaxis<Late Latin <Greek sýntaxis an arranging in order, equivalent to syntag- (see syntactic) + -sis-sis

Words nearby syntax

syntactic construction, syntactics, syntagma, syntagmatic, syntality, syntax, syntax language, synteny, synteresis, synth, synthesis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use syntax in a sentence

When it comes to metadata, you need to make sure that the syntax is exact.
Don’t lose sleep over the Page Experience Update and more; Friday’s daily brief|Barry Schwartz|February 26, 2021|Search Engine Land
As I learned, many language researchers dispute that Koko and other gorillas actually learned sign language, arguing that they didn’t learn its syntax and had instead just mastered a few modified American Sign Language signs.
Solution to Evan Birnholz’s Jan. 31 Post Magazine crossword, “That Makes No Sense”|Evan Birnholz|January 31, 2021|Washington Post
In many cases, the task a model is trained on does not force it to care about word order or syntax in general.
Jumbled-up sentences show that AIs still don’t really understand language|Will Heaven|January 12, 2021|MIT Technology Review
Tree shaking doesn’t always work well with older libraries due to the moving goalposts of keeping up with modern syntax and coding patterns.
Google’s Lighthouse is now recommending JavaScript library alternates|Detlef Johnson|January 5, 2021|Search Engine Land

Personally I’ve been doing a lot of work on the relationship between syntax and sociolinguistics.
Talking Is Throwing Fictional Worlds at One Another - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Kevin Berger|September 9, 2020|Nautilus
The style is stuffy, the syntax is antique, and the conceit is never really convincing.
Robin Sloan’s Book Bag: Five Science Fiction Books That Matter|Robin Sloan|September 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Butler's syntax sometimes gets in the way of understanding what she's asserting as fact.
It's How Badly She Said It|Gershom Gorenberg|February 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
From the syntax, it's a separate item, as if the requirement for the loyalty oath is law.
It's How Badly She Said It|Gershom Gorenberg|February 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Syntax aside, the real consideration is the degree to which Romney can afford to alienate Hispanic Americans.
Mitt Romney Is a Lot Like Thomas E. Dewey, the Equivocating Loser to Truman|Robert Shrum|June 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
If you did learn to read it, you would discover the alienness of the syntax and structure.
Why I’ve Learned Many Languages by Aravind Adiga|Aravind Adiga|February 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
From these shapeless rudiments we have, it is true, an immense distance to travel before we arrive at syntax.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
As between Provençal and French this comparison would be between words, rather than in syntax.
Frdric Mistral|Charles Alfred Downer
His is ill syntax with heaven; and by unfeared he means unafraid: Words of a quite contrary signification.
The Works Of John Dryden, Volume 4 (of 18)|John Dryden
It might have invented fresh inflections, and shaped its own syntax.
American Sketches|Charles Whibley
For the same feature in syntax see the division of simple sentences on p. 252.
British Quarterly Review, American Edition, Volume LIV|Various

British Dictionary definitions for syntax

syntax

/ (ˈsɪntæks) /

noun

the branch of linguistics that deals with the grammatical arrangement of words and morphemes in the sentences of a language or of languages in general

the totality of facts about the grammatical arrangement of words in a language

a systematic statement of the rules governing the grammatical arrangement of words and morphemes in a language

logic a systematic statement of the rules governing the properly formed formulas of a logical system

any orderly arrangement or system

Word Origin for syntax

C17: from Late Latin syntaxis, from Greek suntaxis, from suntassein to put in order, from syn- + tassein to arrange

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for syntax

syntax

The sequence in which words are put together to form sentences. In English, the usual sequence is subject, verb, and object.

notes for syntax

Syntactic languages, such as English, use word order to indicate word relationships. Inflected languages (see inflection), such as Greek and Latin, use word endings and other inflections to indicate relationships.

syntax

Origin of syntax

Words nearby syntax

Words related to syntax

How to use syntax in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for syntax

Word Origin for syntax

Cultural definitions for syntax

notes for syntax