Questions tagged [syntax]
This tag is for questions regarding the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in the English language.
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What is the grammatical role of "in general"?
in general
usually; in most cases; most of (a group of people etc).
People in general were not very sympathetic; People were in general not very sympathetic.
Source: https://www.thefreedictionary....
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Position of adverbs before main verbs or between auxiliaries?
What are the possible positions of adverbs of frequency, opinion completeness and others when used in sentences containing auxiliaries and modals? I know they go mid-position but can that be in front ...
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Correct place of adjectival clause
A few stars are known which are hardly bigger than the earth, but most of them are so large that hundreds of thousands of Earth's can be packed inside each and leave room to spare.
Usually, an ...
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Two questions about "America the Beautiful"
suorce: "America the Beautiful"
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O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.
I can't understand the whose-clause (i....
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Cormac McCarthy and syntax
He walks through the narrow streets of the port. The air smells of salt and newsawn lumber. At night whores call to him from the dark like souls in want. A week and he is on the move again, a few ...
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A strange usage of 'of'
The word “language-game” is used here to emphasize the fact that the speaking of language is part of an activity, or of a form of life.
The right understanding of the construction 'the speaking of ...
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Confusing use of "if" in "Advanced Grammar in Use"
I'm currently leafing through Advanced Grammar in Use by Martin Hewings and on page 18 there is a unit (unit 9) describing the difference between "will" and "be going to". Among ...
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meaning of the sentence—It's easier to act your way into a new way of thinking, than think your way into a new way of acting.?
It's easier to act your way into a new way of thinking, than think your way into a new way of acting.
What is the meaning of the sentence especially "act"? Is it a transitive verb?
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What shade of meaning is the word "proper" supposed to add to the sentence?
From Bram Stoker's "Dracula":
At the very beginning of the seventeenth century it underwent a siege of three weeks and lost 13,000 people, the casualties of war proper being assisted by ...
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"I sat in the kitchen sipping my coffee" AND "… and I was sipping my coffee"
"I sat in the kitchen sipping my coffee"
"I sat in the kitchen and I was sipping my coffee"
These two sentences are the same meaning, but what type of grammar are between these ...
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BBC presenter: "Some interesting thoughts there." --- What is the function of "THERE" in this sentence?
This is from BBC, where people are talking about weight loss, and an expert's opinions are also broadcast. They listen to her, and after the expert finishes, the presenter says:
"Some interesting ...
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I have a question regarding the subordinate conjunction
If the conjunction "that" is removed from the noun clause, Is it still a complex sentence? Because some people said that subordinate conjunction "that" is optional.
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Bored or a bored person
a. He is bored.
b. He is a bored person.
Is it correct to use a noun with past participle when used an adjective? For example, The tired singer is not singing a new song. How to use past participle ...
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Are there any limitations on the adverb usages(The only way to do it is very, very slowly.)?
The characteristic function of AdvPs is to modify the verb. In general
they are adjuncts, but we have noted that they qualify as complements
with the few verbs like treat where they are obligatory. ...
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Understanding the meaning of "under which"
What is the meaning of "under which" in this context. What does "which" refer to?
LESSOR represents and warrants to LESSEE that;
The Deed of Conditional Sale is in force and ...
