Syntax
Core concepts
Syntax is the order and function of words in a sentence. Be able to label subject, verb, object, complement and adverbial, and to recognise clause types: independent clauses can stand alone; subordinate clauses (because, although, when) cannot; relative clauses (who, which, that) modify a noun and may be defining or non-defining. Know how coordination (and, but, or) differs from subordination (although, since, while) and how each shifts emphasis. Expect questions on sentence combining, active and passive transformation, tense consistency, conditionals, reported speech, and the placement of limiting words such as only, not and almost, which change meaning with position.
Traps
- Fragments (a subordinate clause punctuated as a sentence) and run-ons.
- Ambiguous pronoun reference: "When Anna met Priya, she was nervous" - who was nervous?
- Unannounced shifts in tense or in subject within one sentence.
- Misfired emphasis: subordinating the main point so it reads as background.
Worked example
Compare "Only I told him the answer" (nobody else told him) with "I told only him the answer" (nobody else was told). Same words, different syntax, different meaning - always check where the limiting word sits.
Rule of thumb
For sentence-combining questions, decide which idea is the main clause and which is the modifier; then check the result is grammatical, unambiguous and keeps the original emphasis.