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​The rules governing the meaning of words are called

a. ​syntax.
b. ​grammar.
c. ​morphemes.
d. ​semantics.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Semantics is the aspect of language concerned with the meaning of words. It is different from syntax, which is the arrangement of words, and from grammar, which includes both semantics and syntax.

Step-by-step explanation:

The rules governing the meaning of words are referred to as semantics. Semantics is the process through which we interpret meaning from morphemes and words within the language. It contrasts with syntax, which deals with how words are structured within sentences to form coherent thoughts, and with grammar, which is the broader set of rules that includes both syntax and semantics to convey meaning through the use of a lexicon. Morphemes, on the other hand, are the smallest units of meaningful language, like prefixes, suffixes, and root words. Therefore, in language, we have semantics guiding the interpretation of meaning, while syntax dictates the arrangement of words, and grammar encompasses them both along with other rules and structures.

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