The Subfields of Linguistics

1.4. Syntax

Definition: syntax is the study of words’ combination in order to make phrases, clauses or sentences It studies how words are combined into larger units.

A/ The Phrase
         A phrase is a group of words which acts as a unit and it functions as a subject or predicate. Except for the verb phrase, the other phrases do not contain a finite verb. A phrase can be replaced by a single word. There are five types of phrase in English:

1/Noun Phrase: is a group of words in which the noun is the head word.
Example:
dogs and cats make excellent pets
I consider my friends as my lovely brothers and sisters.

2/Adjective Phrase: is a group of words which modifies a noun.
Example:
- That is an extremely interesting book.
- The girl feeling sad and empty had lost her friend.

3/Verb Phrase: is a group of words with the verb as the head word. Verb phrases can be either finite or non-finite. A simple sentence can have only one finite verb phrase but a complex one may have several finite verb phrases.
Example:
- I have learned to drive.
- He was scrabbling for his pen which had got lost somewhere under the sheets of paper

4/Adverb Phrase: is a group of words which functions as an adverb modifying a verb, adjective or another adverb. An adverb phrase answers the question: When? Where? Why? or How?
Example:
- I did not do anything last holiday since I was sick.
- My sister wakes up very early every morning.

5/ Prepositional Phrase: is a group of words that begins always with a preposition.
Example:
- My parents wished me a happy birthday from the bottom of their hearts
- None is happy in the modern life.

B/ The Clause
        A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and predicate, and it functions as part of the sentence. The clause cannot occur in isolation. Each complex sentence contains main clauses and the subordinate clauses.
Example:
I know that life is full of surprise.

       Subordinate clauses are divided into three types:
1/ Noun Clause: is a group of words containing a finite verb and functioning like a noun. Noun phrases can begin with : to , whom, what, which, whoever ,whomever ,whatever , when ,where, how, why, that .
Example:
- They are argued about how they should pay the bill
- why you did that was a mystery to me .

2/ Adjective Clause: is called' relative clause' it starts with relative pronoun
Example:
- The house where i live , is very simple but beautiful .
- Spring is the season that most of people prefer.

3/ Adverbial Clause: functions as an adverbs which mean that it modifies verb, adverb or adjective, and it answers the question: When? Why? How? To what condition?
Example:
- When there is a will, there is a way.
- She learns sewing because she enjoys it.

C/ The Sentence
         A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought or meaning. It is a linguistic unit which begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop (written medium).
Example:
A friend in need is the friend indeed.

       In terms of function, sentences can be divided into four sub-types:
1/ Declarative Sentence: is used to make statements or assertions.
Example:
- I think that it is better to not judge someone before you listen to him.
- We must obey our parents to get their satisfaction.
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2/ Imperative Sentence: is used to give orders, make requests, and usually has no subject.
Example:
- Listen to me! Don’t run!
- Stop talking! Sit down!
3/ Interrogative Sentence: is used to ask questions or request information. In English, we have questions which expect yes/no as an answer and 'wh' questions.
Example:
- Do you like music?
- Where does she live?
4/ Exclamatory Sentence: is used to express surprise, alarm, indignation or a strong opinion. It takes an exclamation mark at the end.
Example:
- What a beautiful rose!
- You are serious!

      Concerning the structure, a sentence has four types:
1/ Simple Sentence: consists of one main clause (one finite verb)
I wrote my first novel last year.
2/ Compound Sentence: consists of one main clause (simple sentences) linked by a coordinating conjunction: and, but, so, either ....or, neither ... nor, or, then and yet .
He wrote good jokes and (he) became a good comedian.
3/ Complex Sentence: consists of one main clause and one or more subordinate (dependent) clauses. Each clause in a complex sentence contains a finite verb; and the subordinate clause begins with a subordinating conjunction.
Although you are very rich, you cannot buy everything with your money.
4/ Compound-Complex Sentence: consists of two or more main clauses and one or more subordinate clauses.
I waited for him until he came, and I talked to him but he did not listen to me when I was talking.