Definitions of Syntactical Terms (ETCBC)
Units of speech include clauses and phrases. There are also many individual syntactical tags that may be attached to individual words in a clause or phrase. These and other information stored with syntactical tags are defined below. The letter designators listed below correspond to the labels used within the Syntax module Any Bible text, or other single tool that can be read in Accordance, including reference texts and articles; may also be referred to as content or resource.
Clause: a unit of grammatical organization, consisting of a subject and predicate.
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N: Independent, Non-Speech: A sentence or independent clause (the top level); a set of words that is complete in itself, conveying a statement, question, exclamation, or command, and consisting of a main clause and sometimes one or more subordinate clauses.
Example: "And God called the light Day" (Gen. 1:5)
- L: Dependent, Non-Speech: A clause, often introduced by a subordinating conjunction, that forms part of and is dependent on a main clause.
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Speech Clauses: Speech is indicated by an arc under the N or L. The number of arcs represent the nested level of speech.
Example: "And God said: Let light be!" (Gen. 1:3)
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Clause Sub-Types: The N and L clauses have superscripts that identify the type of Clause (as in the Clause dialog box).
- AjCl: Adjective clause: A verbless clause in which the predicate complement is an adjective.
- CPen: Casus pendens: A clause containing a fronted element that is resumed in the following clause (resumptive clause) by a pronoun referring back to it. (This type of constructions is also called "dislocation".)
- Ellp: Ellipsis: An elliptical clause, i.e. a clause in which some elements have been omitted.
- InfA: Infinitive absolute clause: A clause in which the predicate is a verb in the infinitive absolute.
- InfC: Infinitive construct clause: A clause in which the predicate is a verb in the infinitive construct.
- MSyn: Macrosyntactic sign: A clause introducing a new topic or marking a transition at the discourse level.
- NmCl: Nominal clause: A verbless clause in which the predicate complement is a nominal or prepositional phrase.
- Ptcp: Participle clause: A clause in which the predicate is a participial verb.
- Reop: Reopening: Repetition of the opening element of a clause (such as a conjunction).
- Voct: Vocative clause: A clause containing a vocative element (address or invocation).
- Way0: Wayyiqtol-null clause: A clause beginning with a wayyiqtol verb form and containing no explicit subject.
- WayX: Wayyiqtol-X clause: A clause beginning with a wayyiqtol verb form, followed by an explicit subject.
- WIm0: We-imperative-null clause: A clause beginning with we + imperative verb form and containing no explicit subject.
- WImX: We-imperative-X clause: A clause beginning with we + imperative verb form, followed by an explicit subject.
- WQt0: We-qatal-null clause: A clause beginning with a we-qatal verb form and containing no explicit subject.
- WQtX: We-qatal-X clause: A clause beginning with a we-qatal verb form, followed by an explicit subject.
- WxI0: We-x-imperative-null clause: A clause containing no explicit subject and in which other elements come between the opening we and the imperative verb form.
- WXIm: We-X-imperative clause: A clause in which an explicit subject comes between the opening we and the imperative verb form.
- WxIX: We-x-imperative-X clause: A clause in which an explicit subject follows an imperative verb form, which is separated from the opening we by other elements.
- WxQ0: We-x-qatal-null clause: A clause containing no explicit subject and in which other elements come between the opening we and the qatal verb form.
- WXQt: We-X-qatal clause: A clause in which an explicit subject comes between the opening we and the qatal verb form.
- WxQX: We-x-qatal-X clause: A clause in which an explicit subject follows a qatal verb form, which is separated from the opening we by other elements.
- WxY0: We-x-yiqtol-null clause: A clause containing no explicit subject and in which other elements come between the opening we and the yiqtol verb form.
- WXYq: We-X-yiqtol clause: A clause in which an explicit subject comes between the opening we and the yiqtol verb form.
- WxYX: We-x-yiqtol-X clause: A clause in which an explicit subject follows a yiqtol verb form, which is separated from the opening we by other elements.
- WYq0: We-yiqtol-null clause: A clause beginning with a we-yiqtol verb form and containing no explicit subject.
- WYqX: We-yiqtol-X clause: A clause beginning with a we-yiqtol verb form, followed by an explicit subject.
- xIm0: x-imperative-null clause: A clause containing no explicit subject and in which other elements precede the imperative verb form.
- XImp: X-imperative clause: A clause in which an explicit subject precedes the imperative verb form.
- xImX: x-imperative-X clause: A clause in which an explicit subject follows an imperative verb form, which itself follows other elements.
- XPos: Extraposition: A clause in which one of the constituents has been moved forward from its (usual) position at the end. (It is not resumed by a pronoun, as in the casus pendens.)
- xQt0: x-qatal-null clause: A clause containing no explicit subject and in which other elements precede the qatal verb form.
- XQtl: X-qatal clause: A clause in which an explicit subject precedes a qatal verb form.
- xQtX: x-qatal-X clause: A clause in which an explicit subject follows a qatal verb form, which itself follows other elements.
- xYq0: x-yiqtol-null clause: A clause containing no explicit subject and in which other elements precede the yiqtol verb form.
- XYqt: X-yiqtol clause: A clause in which an explicit subject precedes a yiqtol verb form.
- xYqX: x-yiqtol-X clause: A clause in which an explicit subject follows a yiqtol verb form, which itself follows other elements.
- ZIm0: Zero-imperative-null clause: A clause beginning with an imperative verb form and containing no explicit subject.
- ZImX: Zero-imperative-X clause: A clause beginning with an imperative verb form, followed by an explicit subject.
- ZQt0: Zero-qatal-null clause: A clause beginning with a qatal verb form and containing no explicit subject.
- ZQtX: Zero-qatal-X clause: A clause beginning with a qatal verb form, followed by an explicit subject.
- ZYq0: Zero-yiqtol-null clause: A clause beginning with a yiqtol verb form and containing no explicit subject.
- ZYqX: Zero-yiqtol-X clause: A clause beginning with a yiqtol verb form, followed by an explicit subject.
Example: "It is not good for the man to be alone." (Gen. 2:18)
Example: "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens" (Gen. 2:4)
Example: "If Cain is avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy sevenfold." (Gen. 4:24)
Example: "Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy." (Ex. 20:8)
Example: "When God created man, He made him in the likeness of God." (Gen. 5:1)
Example: "Now, my son, listen carefully as I instruct you." (Gen. 5:1)
Example: "What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord." (Is. 1:11)
Example: "Then the man who was standing among the myrtles spoke up and said." (Zech. 1:10)
Example: "Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly." (Jdg. 19:23)
Example: "Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet..." (2Sam. 1:24)
Example: "Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass..." (Jdg. 1:1)
Example: "Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab." (2Ki. 1:1)
Example: "...you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out." (Num. 32:23)
Example: "Be prepared, and prepare yourself, you and all your companies that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them." (Ezek. 38:7)
Example: "Making your righteousness shine like the dawn..." (Psa. 37:6)
Example: "And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it..." (Gen. 9:16)
Example: "Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees." (Isa. 35:3)
Example: "Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night..." (Num. 22:19)
Example: "Therefore, with the fury of the Lord I am full..." (Jer. 6:11)
Example: "And the earth was without form, and void..." (Gen. 1:2)
Example: "How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!" (Psa. 139:17)
Example: "...and they covered him with clothes, but he could not keep warm." (1Ki. 1:1)
Example: "And the earth shall answer the grain, the wine, and the oil..." (Hos. 2:22)
Example: "And you shall no longer be called Abram..." (Gen. 17:5)
Example: "and have it attested for me by reliable witnesses..." (Isa. 8:2)
Example: "Exalted be God, my deliverer..." (Ps. 18:47)
Example: "Therefore hear the word of the Lord..." (1Ki. 22:19)
Example: "You cross over with me and I will sustain you" (2Sam. 19:33)
Example: "But go, act, be strong for the battle" (2Chron. 25:8)
Example: "An excellent wife who can find?" (Prov. 31:10)
Example: "For you have taken my silver and my gold..." (Joel 3:5)
Example: "Who told you that you were naked?" (Gen. 3:11)
Example: "Thus says the Lord..." (Amos 1:3)
Example: "Do not enter the gate of my people in the day of their calamity..." (Obadiah 13)
Example: "Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours." (Deut. 11:24)
Example: "Before him went pestilence..." (Hab. 3:5)
Example: "Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth." (Isa. 1:2)
Example: "Go thou near, and hear all that the Lord our God shall say" (Deut. 5:27)
Example: "washed his garments in wine..." (Gen. 49:11)
Example: "...says the Lord of hosts." (Mal. 3:7)
Example: "Do not harass Moab or contend with them in battle" (Deut. 2:9)
Example: "Let there go a royal commandment from him," (Esth. 1:19)
Phrase: A small group of words standing together as a conceptual unit, typically forming a component of a clause, and lacking its own predication.
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S: Subject: The "doer" (agent) or "experiencer" (patient) of the predicate.
Example of Agent: "And God said ... " (Gen. 1:3)
Example of Patient: "And the earth was formless and void" (Gen. 1:2)
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P: Predicate: The verb and any modifiers.
Example: "Let us make man in our image" (Gen. 1:26)
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C: Complement: The phrase(s) that are required by either a verb or a preposition in order to "complete" the semantics of each.
Example: "Let us make man in our image" (Gen. 1:26)
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A: Adjunct: The phrase(s) that are not required but add additional information about a verb or noun.
Example: "Let us make man in our image" (Gen. 1:26)
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O: Object: An argument required by the verb, usually referring to the entity on which the subject acts. (In traditional grammar, this is also called the "direct object".)
Example: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Gen. 1:1)
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CI: Conjunction: A connector between sentences, clauses, phrases or words.
Example: "Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light." (Gen. 1:3)
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EP: Enclitic personal pronoun: A personal pronoun serving as copula in a verbless clause, linking between the subject and predicate complement.
Example: "Lord God, You are God;" (2Sam. 7:28)
- E: Existence: The existential particle “there is”.
- ES: Existence with SS: Existence with subject suffix. See Enclitic personal pronoun.
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F: Fronted Element: An element moved forward to a casus pendens clause, and resumed in its original clause by a pronoun.
Example: "And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark," (Gen. 6:19)
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I: Interjection: A particle of exclamation.
Example: "So now, look! Adonijah has become king;" (1Ki. 1:18)
- IS: Interjection with SS: See Interjection.
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TO: Locative: A phrase providing a place reference.
Example: "he Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire" (Deut. 4:15)
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M: Modifier: An adverb indicating verbal aspect, expressing degree, creating focus.
Example: "So Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites," (Jdg. 6:6)
- MS: Modifier with SS: Modifier with subject suffix. See Modifier.
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N: Negation: A negative particle.
Example: "And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel." (1Ki. 6:13)
- XC: Negative Copula: A negative particle such as serving as copula ("is not"), denying the link between a subject and predicate complement.
- XS: Negative Copula with SS: Negative Copula with subject suffix. See Negative Copula.
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PA: Predicative Adjunct: An element that is not required by the verb but provides additional information describing the subject or object.
Example: "Male and female he created them." (Gen. 5:2)
- PC (Aqua): Predicate Compliment with SS: See Predicative Adjunct.
- PC (Green): Predicate Compliment: An obligatory element (noun, adjective, prepositional phrase etc.) that describes the subject: the complement of a copulative verb such as הָיָה "to be", or an element filling an equivalent role in a verbless (adjectival or nominal) clause.
- PS: Predicate With SS: Predicate with subject suffix. See Predicate.
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RO: Participle with Object Suffix: A participial verb form with a pronominal suffix referring to the object.
Example: "Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe." (Deut. 8:1)
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Q: Question: An interrogative particle or pronoun.
Example: "Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried out to Pharaoh, saying, "Why are you dealing thus with your servants?" (Ex. 5:15)
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R: Relative: A conjunction introducing a subordinate clause.
Example: The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw" (Hab. 1:1)
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T: Time Reference: A phrase providing temporal indications.
Example: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Gen. 1:1)
- U: Unknown: Used for cases, mainly in Qumran and Inscriptions, where text is missing and the syntactical tagging of the remaining words is uncertain or unknown.
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V: Vocative: An address or invocation.
Example: "All these, O king, Araunah has given to the king." (2Sam. 24:23)
Subphrase: A phrase making up part of a larger phrase.
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YA: Adjunct: The relation between two nouns in apposition, i.e. simply juxtaposed to one another rather than linked in a genitive construction.
Example: "if the anointed priest sins..." (Lev. 4:3)
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YT: Attribute: The relation between a noun and the adjective describing it.
Example: "Take a large scroll..." (Isa. 8:1)
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YD: Demonstrative: The relation between a noun and the demonstrative pronoun connected to it.
Example: "There were giants on the earth in those days." (Gen. 6:4)
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YM: Modifier: The relation between a modifier and the element (noun, adjective etc.) it affects.Example: "From a very far country your servants have come," (Josh. 9:9)
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YP: Parallel: The relation between coordinated elements.Example: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Gen. 1:1)
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YR: Regens/Rectum: The two elements in a genitive construction. The first element (in the construct state) is the nomen regens (governing noun), the second element is the nomen rectum (governed noun).
Example: "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night;" (Gen. 1:14)
This is the full list of tags that may be attached to individual words in a clause (some necessarily overlap with those above):
- S: Subject: See "Phrase, Subject" above.
- P: Predicate: See "Phrase, Predicate" above.
- C: Complement: See "Phrase, Complement" above.
- A: Adjunct: See "Phrase, Adjunct" above.
- O: Object: See "Phrase, Object" above.
- C: Conjunction: See "Phrase, Conjunction" above.
- EP: Enclitic personal pronoun: See "Phrase, Enclitic personal pronoun" above.
- E: Existence: See "Phrase, Existence" above.
- F: Fronted Element: See "Phrase, Fronted Element" above.
- I: Interjection: See "Phrase, Interjection" above.
- TO: Locative: See "Phrase, Locative" above.
- M: Modifier: See "Phrase, Modifier" above.
- N: Negation: See "Phrase, Negation" above.
- XC: Negative Copula: See "Phrase, Negative Copula" above.
- RO: Participle with Object Suffix: See "Phrase, Particle with Object Suffix" above.
- Q: Question: See "Phrase, Question" above.
- R: Relative: See "Phrase, Relative" above.
- SC: Supplementary: A non-obligatory element pointing to a person concerned with or affected by the matter in question (the so-called "ethic dative").
- T: Time Reference: See "Phrase, Time Reference" above.
- U: Unknown: See "Phrase, Unknown" above.
- V: Vocative: See "Clause, Vocative" above.
Note AnySyntax is an additional search item that is used in a Greek or Hebrew Construct tab for finding any tag item within a group of Syntax tags that are related, such as Subject, Predicate, Complement, Adjunct, and Specifier. |