broken syntax

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broken syntax" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sentence or phrase that does not follow the conventional rules of grammar, resulting in confusion or lack of clarity. Example: "The author's use of broken syntax in the poem adds to its chaotic and fragmented theme."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

In the meantime, users of the Web struggle to decipher its mangled metaphors and broken syntax.

MIT Technology Review

Gunnar Björling, the Dadaist of Finland, expressed his philosophical idea of the relativity and incompleteness of everything in elliptic poems with highly idiosyncratic grammar and broken syntax.

Britannica

Here we consider whether sensory limitations exist that could also contribute to broken syntax.

Duke University

In tests using the solicitation display assay, adult female swamp sparrows respond more to broken syntax than to heterospecific songs, although they respond significantly less to conspecific songs with broken syntax than to those with normal syntax.

Duke University

Our goal in the present study was to determine whether song models with broken syntax could serve as suitable training models for young swamp sparrows, and, if so, if broken syntax could be faithfully reproduced.

Duke University

Another exhorted, in broken syntax: "Democracy Go To The Hell". Yet in interviews, Mogadishu residents expressed far more anger at the secular warlords than at the United States.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Alright, that's the conjunction that broke the syntax.

BBC

As with Moore, too, these passages are almost impossible to quote effectively: they are made of superlong, ribbonlike sentences distributed across white space, often broken against their syntax by an inflexible line.

The New Yorker

Yet it's possible that, having disassembled the grammar of cinema so fruitfully, he has committed – perhaps condemned – his films to be forever broken down, re-syntaxed.

The Guardian - Film

"And they were also more formally normal," says O'Donoghue. "The wild language and the rather more broken up and adventurous syntax came later.

The Guardian - Books

If it is not formatted properly, the steps may not start with an action verb, some steps may be too long, the image syntax may broken, or there are other formatting errors.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Provide a brief example or explanation to immediately signal the presence of a "broken syntax" to the reader in longer and complex texts to avoid misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "broken syntax" without indicating whether it's a deliberate stylistic choice or an error. Otherwise, readers may assume it's simply a mistake.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broken syntax" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a condition where the rules governing sentence structure are violated. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It's often used in discussions about language, literature, and even music to describe deviations from standard forms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broken syntax" is a valid and commonly used term to describe errors or intentional deviations in sentence structure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is acceptable for use in written English. Its use spans academia, news media, and creative writing, though it is less common in formal business contexts. Related phrases include "faulty syntax" and "incorrect syntax". When using "broken syntax", ensure clarity regarding its intended effect. Although grammatically sound, it should be applied thoughtfully, particularly in formal contexts, and be able to differentiate the intended meaning whether for stylistic effects or unintentionally.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faulty syntax

Replaces "broken" with "faulty", suggesting an error or defect in the syntax.

incorrect syntax

Uses "incorrect" to indicate that the syntax deviates from standard rules.

ungrammatical syntax

Emphasizes the lack of grammatical correctness in the syntax.

flawed syntax

Highlights the presence of imperfections or weaknesses in the syntax.

nonstandard syntax

Indicates a deviation from the conventional or accepted syntactic structures.

deviant syntax

Suggests a departure from the norm in syntactic arrangement.

aberrant syntax

Implies that the syntax is straying away from what is considered typical or correct.

malformed syntax

Indicates that the syntax is badly formed or constructed.

disrupted syntax

Suggests that the syntax has been interrupted or thrown into disorder.

corrupted syntax

Implies that the syntax has been damaged or altered negatively.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "broken syntax" in a sentence?

Use "broken syntax" to create a specific effect, such as portraying a character's confusion or disorientation. For example, instead of "I am lost", you might write "Lost, I am?"

What are some alternatives to "broken syntax"?

Consider using terms like "faulty syntax", "incorrect syntax", or "ungrammatical syntax" depending on the specific context and the nature of the syntactic error.

Is it acceptable to use "broken syntax" in formal writing?

Generally, no. "Broken syntax" is typically used for stylistic effect in creative writing or to represent speech patterns, not in formal writing where clarity and grammatical correctness are paramount.

What's the difference between "broken syntax" and poor grammar?

"Broken syntax" refers specifically to the arrangement of words and phrases, while poor grammar encompasses a broader range of errors, including incorrect verb conjugations, pronoun usage, and other grammatical rules. While both involve errors, "broken syntax" is more focused on sentence structure.