Glossary · Comprehension and language
What is syntax?
Definition
Syntax is the way words are arranged into phrases and sentences, and a reader's knowledge of those rules for working out who did what to whom.
Word order carries meaning. “The dog chased the cat” and “The cat chased the dog” use the same words and mean opposite things. Longer sentences add clauses, passives and pronouns that a reader has to untangle.
Complex syntax is a common, often overlooked cause of comprehension trouble. A sentence like “The boy who the girl helped thanked her” is hard to follow even when every word is easy. Texts for older grades are full of such sentences.
Syntax can be taught directly. Sentence combining is one method: the student joins two short sentences into one longer one, using words like because, although or who. Taking long sentences apart into short ones works too. Both make the structure visible.
In a lesson
Give the student two sentences: “The storm was loud. We stayed inside.” They combine them three ways: with because, so and although. Each choice changes the relationship between the ideas.
Why does this matter for the record?
If a student understands short sentences but loses track in long ones, note it. Syntax practice may help more than vocabulary work.
Rate each skill as you teach it
Needs support, Developing, Secure. The rating schedules the review and builds the report.