Syntax, or the structure of a sentence, can help a reader determine the meaning of unknown words in several ways:
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Contextual Clues: The arrangement of words in a sentence can provide hints about the function of an unknown word. For instance, if the unknown word appears before a noun, it may be an adjective describing that noun.
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Grammatical Structure: Understanding the grammatical roles of different parts of the sentence (subject, verb, object) can help readers infer the meaning of an unknown word based on how it interacts with other known words.
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Punctuation and Formatting: Syntax often includes punctuation that can change the meaning of a sentence. Commas, dashes, and colons provide breaks and emphases that can help clarify relationships between words and their meanings.
By analyzing these aspects of syntax, readers can make educated guesses about the meaning of unfamiliar words based on their relationships within the sentence.
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