How does punctuation affect syntax?
1 Answer
Syntax is defined as an arrangement of words that complete a fluent, proper sentence; for example, all the punctuation I used in this sentence has well-shaped syntax.
Explanation:
Punctuation such as commas, semicolons, colons, etc. alert a reader to use certain cues and breaks when speaking aloud. This makes language sound more fluid.
Usually, common syntax follows the subject-verb agreement; however, we see that most writers like to stretch their grammatical restraints and go beyond the rules of common syntax. When an author negates the subject-verb agreement, it's still syntax. It's not a complete sentence, but repeated punctuation in a poem, for instance, can create an idea of the sentence.
"To Autumn" by John Keats
"To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells"To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
color(white)(" ")"With a sweet kernel; to set budding more," With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
"And still more, later flowers for the bees,"And still more, later flowers for the bees,
"Until they think warm days will never cease,"Until they think warm days will never cease,
color(white)(" ")"For summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells. " For summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.
In this example, we see commas, semicolons, and apostrophes stepping in to give the poem personality. The way we say it out loud will be influenced by these punctuation marks.
