syntax
Pronunciation
Noun
B2 Upper-intermediate
Quick answer
The set of rules that governs how words are arranged to form grammatically correct sentences.
Usage notes
In linguistics, syntax is distinguished from morphology, which studies the structure of individual words rather than how they combine.
Test yourself
Which word fits the gap? "Even a small error in _____ can make a sentence sound unnatural to a native speaker."
Answer: syntax
In your own words, what does "syntax" mean?
The set of rules that governs how words are arranged to form grammatically correct sentences.
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