What does syntactic mean?
Syntactic is an adjective meaning connected with syntax, the system that determines how words and phrases are arranged to form meaningful sentences. A syntactic feature may involve word order, phrase structure, agreement, modification, or the relationship between clauses. The term is common in linguistics, grammar teaching, editing, and language assessment. For example, a writer may revise a sentence because its syntactic structure is confusing, even when every individual word is correctly spelled and used. “Syntactic” is more precise than “grammatical” because it focuses on the internal organization of language rather than correctness as a whole. It can also distinguish a language’s structural patterns from its vocabulary or sound system. The word ultimately comes from Greek roots associated with putting together and arranging, reflecting its focus on the ordered structures through which human languages convey meaning.
adjectiveRelating to syntax, the principles governing the arrangement of words and phrases in sentences. It may also refer to the grammatical structure of a particular language, text, or sentence.
- Relating to syntax or the grammatical arrangement of words in sentences.
- Characterized by a particular grammatical word order or sentence structure.
"The editor made several syntactic changes to improve the clarity of the passage."
"The sentence was grammatical, but its syntactic structure was difficult for readers to follow."
"Children gradually acquire the syntactic patterns of the language spoken around them."
Syntactic comes from Greek roots meaning “putting together” and “arrangement,” so the word literally points to the way words are put together.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does syntactic come from?
The word derives from Greek syn-, meaning “together,” and taxis, meaning “arrangement” or “ordering.” English borrowed syntax from that Greek foundation and formed the adjective syntactic from it. The form also connects with syntagmatic and syntagm, terms used in linguistics for elements that stand together in a grammatical relationship.
Related word forms
How syntactic is actually used
Usually used in formal discussions of grammar, linguistics, editing, and language teaching. It is more technical than “grammatical” and focuses specifically on structure and word order rather than correctness in general.
Easily confused with syntactic
Syntax is the system or arrangement of word order in a language, whereas syntactic is an adjective describing features connected with that system.