DIDLS - Syntax

DIDLS

Syntax

Syntax

how the words are arranged in the sentence

Consider the following

• sentence parts

• word order

• sentence length

• punctuation

Basic Grammar

This you must know to understand syntax

Subjects and Verbs

• Subject - what the sentence is about, the topic of the sentence

• Verb - expresses action or connects the subject with other words in the sentence

Multiple Choice

What is the subject of this sentence?

The lion ran into the wilderness.

• lion

• ran

• wilderness

Multiple Choice

What is the verb in this sentence?

The lion ran into the wilderness.

• lion

• ran

• wilderness

Clauses and Phrases

• clause - a group of related words with a subject and a verb

• phrase - a group of related words without a subject or verb

Multiple Choice

Which part is the clause of this sentence?

The lion ran into the wilderness.

• The lion ran

• into the wilderness.

Multiple Choice

Which part is the phrase of this sentence?

The lion ran into the wilderness.

• The lion ran

• into the wilderness.

Sentence Fragment

• a group of words that is puncuated like a sentence but is not actually a sentence

• could be missing a verb

• could be an incomplete thought

Multiple Choice

Which of these is a sentence fragment?

The lion is a wild animal. Really wild.

• The lion is a wild animal.

• Really wild.

Word Order

• subject > verb > other details

Structure examples

• Jim said that he drives only a truck. (He drives nothing else.)

• Jim said that only he drives a truck. (No one else drives a truck.)

• Jim only said he drives a truck. (He probably doesn't drive a truck.)

• Only Jim said that he drives a truck. (No one else said it.)

Sentence Length

• varied to keep readers interested

• main idea in a short sentence

• then use longer sentence to elaborate

Punctuation

• power in writing

• helps understand the written word

Semicolon

• joints two or more indeoendent clauses without a connecting word

• all sentences have the same importance

• He is my best friend; I have known him most of my life.

Colon

• tells something important will follow

• He is my best friend: he helps me through hard times and celebrates good times with me.

Dash

• marks a sudden change in thought or sets off a

• same as parentheses but informal

• John-my best friend-lives right down the street.

Italics

• used to talk about a word

• used for emphasis

• Of all the people I've ever known. John is my best friend.