Syntax and Semantics
The building blocks of language
Syntax:
 The
words and how they properly
fit together:
Convey the in understand are
words presented not meaning
do order can they some unless
reader.
Corrected:
Words do not convey meaning
unless they are presented in some
order the reader can understand.
This is the importance of syntax!
JABBERWOCKY
by Lewis Carroll
`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"
He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought -So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.
And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!
One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.
"And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'
He chortled in his joy.
`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
Semantics:
 The
meaning of the words, individually and
collectively.
Define this word:
sewer
Do we use it this way:
“The sewer emptied
Into the small pond.”
. . .or this way:
“The sewer worked on her
dress all night long.”
sewer?
What we mean by “sewer” determines how
we might use it.
This is the importance of
semantics!
Denotation & Connotation
 Denotation:
what the words mean in a
literal sense
 Connotation:
suggested or implied
(understood) meaning
One more:
Sick:
Does it mean this
Or this?
Denotation & Connotation
Sometimes there isn’t a dictionary definition
we can use to understand meaning. The
meaning is implied by the speaker, and
inferred by the audience.
Denotation = dictionary definition
Connotation = implied meaning
Some other useful information
Banned words and phrases:
This list is available in the top box of my
Moodle page. You don’t need to copy these
down, but do pay attention!
Banned words:
That
basically
really
well
Like
thing
fact
boring
Stupid
lame
besides
usually
Because
since
stuff
lots
So-called
situation
issue
Banned phrases:
“I think . . .”
“To me . . .”
“instead of”
“for the reason that . . .”
“In my opinion . . .”
“Due to . . .”
“in life . . .”
“Should of . . .,” “Could of . . .,” “Would of . . .,” and
others similar
“A lot”
Banned phrases:
“sort of”
“kind of”
ALL slang
ALL contractions
ALL lazy words (gonna for “going to”; U for “you”; 2 for
“to”, “too”, or “two”; + or & for “and,” etc.)
Additional notes:

Woman = 1; women = more than one

“Each other” is always two words

“Every day” and “everyday” are both correct, but are
correct only in certain circumstances, and are never
interchangeable.
Remember
 There
is a place and time for both formal and
informal language. When you are submitting
something for an assignment for a class – for
English or any other subject – formal language
should be used.