Final answer:
Syntax is the set of rules in a language that governs how words are combined to form sentences, including phrases and clauses. Understanding syntax involves knowing how to use independent and dependent clauses to create compound and complex sentences, ensuring that sentences flow smoothly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The system of combining words into sentences with rules that govern how words work together in phrases, clauses, and sentences is called syntax. This system dictates how words are organized into sentences to ensure proper communication. For example, in English, the typical word order is subject-verb-object.
The Phrase is any group of words that functions as a unit within a sentence but does not contain both a subject and a verb. On the other hand, The Clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb, which can be independent (can stand alone) or dependent (cannot stand alone).
A sentence may be as simple as two independent clauses joined by a semicolon, or as complex as one containing both an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. The proper use of syntax involves understanding not only simple sentences but also the complexity of compound sentences and complex sentences. Additionally, transition words and phrases help to maintain the flow of a sentence or paragraph, indicating the relationships between ideas.