Syntax applies to the way words are arranged to form phrases, clauses, and sentences. For example, most sentences in English start with a subject (noun or pronoun) followed by a verb with something at the end to complete the thought:
| Molly | ran | down the hill. |
| subject | verb | prepositional phrase as adverb describing ran |
Syntax also relates to the placement of adjectives (usually before the noun they modify) and adverbs (usually after the verb they modify); the arrangement of words in a prepositional phrase (preposition followed by the object of the preposition); the structure of relative clauses, such as those that start with who, which, or where; and so on. You’ll find out more about syntax throughout Parts 1 through 3 of this book.
Syntax: Word Order