Syntax Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ป
syntax
[หsษชntรฆks ]
Definitions
computer programming
The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| syntax |
Use this term when discussing the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language, particularly in programming and linguistics.
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| grammar |
Grammar specifically refers to the rules and structures that govern the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in a language.
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| structure |
Discuss the general organization or framework of a piece, particularly when you want to emphasize how parts are arranged to form a whole.
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| format |
Apply this word when talking about the overall layout or organization of a document, file, or any kind of presentation.
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Examples of usage
- Correct syntax is crucial for writing code that works.
- The syntax of this programming language is quite different from others.
linguistics
The study of the rules for the formation of grammatical sentences in a language.
Synonyms
grammar, sentence structure.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| syntax |
Syntax is used when referring to the set of rules that define the structure of sentences in a particular language, especially in programming and linguistics.
|
| grammar |
Grammar refers to the rules that govern the structure of sentences, including syntax, morphology, and other language aspects. It's generally used when discussing the correctness of language use in speech and writing.
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| sentence structure |
Sentence structure refers to the way words and phrases are arranged to make a complete sentence. It is often used in writing and linguistics to discuss how well-formed a sentence is.
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Examples of usage
- Syntax is a fundamental aspect of language study.
- Linguists analyze the syntax of different languages to understand their structure.
linguistics
The arrangement of words in a sentence to show their relationship.
Synonyms
sentence order, word order.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| syntax |
Use 'syntax' when discussing the set of rules or principles that dictate the structure of sentences in a language.
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| sentence order |
The term 'sentence order' is best used when referring to the sequence in which words are placed within a sentence to make coherent sense.
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| word order |
Use 'word order' to discuss the specific arrangement of words in a sentence. It is often a subtopic within the broader study of syntax.
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Examples of usage
- The syntax of English allows for various sentence structures.
- Understanding the syntax of a language helps in communication.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Linguistics
- In linguistics, syntax is one of the core components of grammar, which also includes phonetics, morphology, and semantics.
- Different languages have different syntactical rules; for example, English typically follows a Subject-Verb-Object structure.
- The study of syntax helps in understanding how language evolves and why certain sentence structures are preferred over others.
Cognitive Science
- Research in cognitive science shows that our brains are wired to recognize certain syntactic patterns more easily than others.
- Syntax plays a crucial role in how we process language, affecting reading comprehension and spoken communication.
- Children learn syntax quite rapidly, which helps them form complex sentences before they fully understand the individual meanings of words.
Technology
- Syntax is essential in programming languages, where the arrangement of commands must be exact for the code to function properly.
- In Natural Language Processing (NLP), algorithms analyze syntax to enable computers to understand human language better.
- The development of syntax-checking tools has greatly improved coding efficiency by catching errors in programming languages early.
Education
- Teaching syntax can enhance students' writing skills by helping them understand varied sentence structures to express ideas more effectively.
- Many language curricula focus on syntax to prepare students for advanced reading and writing tasks, including essays and research papers.
- Engaging activities like sentence diagramming can make learning syntax fun and interactive in classrooms.
Origin of 'syntax'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'syntax' comes from the Greek word 'syntaxis', which means 'arrangement'.
- In ancient linguistics, syntax was often discussed in relation to how sentences are structured for clarity.
- The concept has roots in the work of early philosophers like Aristotle, who studied how language conveys meaning.
The word 'syntax' originated from the Greek term 'syntaxis' meaning 'arrangement' or 'putting together'. It was first used in the field of grammar to refer to the rules governing the structure of sentences. Over time, the term expanded to computer programming, where it now signifies the rules governing the structure of code. Understanding syntax is essential for effective communication and programming.
Word Frequency Rank
Position #9,318 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.
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- 9315 troop
- 9316 hydrocarbon
- 9317 tempered
- 9318 syntax
- 9319 cobalt
- 9320 benevolent
- 9321 adversary
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