Meaning & use
syntax
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Meanings
noununcountabletechnical
The way words and phrases are arranged to form correct sentences in a language, or the study of this.
Grammar: Uncountable: the syntax of English.
Patterns
- the syntax of something
English syntax usually puts the subject before the verb.
The sentence has awkward syntax.
She studies syntax at university.
noununcountablecomputing
The set of rules that decide how commands must be written in a computer language.
Grammar: Uncountable: a syntax error.
Patterns
- syntax error
A missing bracket caused a syntax error.
Python has a simple syntax.
Common combinations
- syntax error
- The program showed a syntax error.
- sentence syntax
- Sentence syntax differs across languages.
- correct syntax
- Use the correct syntax.
- basic syntax
- Learn the basic syntax first.
Synonyms and how they differ
- grammar
- Grammar is broader and includes word forms as well as sentence structure.
- word order
- Word order is just one part of syntax.
Word family
- syntactic adjective
- relating to syntax
- syntactically adverb
- in terms of syntax
Commonly confused: syntax or semantics? syntax or tax?
syntax vs semantics
Semantics is about meaning; syntax is about structure.
syntax vs tax
Not related despite the similar ending.
Practice
A sentence can follow correct syntax and still make no sense. Syntax is about ______.
Choose one answer.
Syntax is word arrangement; meaning is semantics.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “syntax”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.