[Sidenote: _Essential point in English syntax._]
English syntax follows the Latin to a limited extent; but its leading characteristic is, that English syntax is founded upon _the meaning_ and _the logical connection_ of words rather than upon their form: consequently it is quite as necessary to place words properly, and to think clearly of the meaning of words, as to study inflected forms.
For example, the sentence, "The savage here the settler slew," is ambiguous. _Savage_ may be the subject, following the regular order of subject; or _settler_ may be the subject, the order being inverted. In Latin, distinct forms would be used, and it would not matter which one stood first.
391. There is, then, a double reason for not omitting syntax as a department of grammar,--
_First_, To study the rules regarding the use of inflected forms, some of which conform to classical grammar, while some are idiomatic (peculiar to our own language).
_Second_, To find out the _logical methods_ which control us in the arrangement of words; and particularly when the grammatical and the logical conception of a sentence do not agree, or when they exist side by side in good usage.
As an illustration of the last remark, take the sentence, "Besides these famous books of Scott's and Johnson's, there is a copious 'Life' by Sheridan." In this there is a possessive form, and added to it the preposition _of_, also expressing a possessive relation. This is not logical; it is not consistent with the general rules of grammar: but none the less it is good English.
Also in the sentence, "None remained but he," grammatical rules would require _him_ instead of _he_ after the preposition; yet the expression is sustained by good authority.
392. In some cases, authorities--that is, standard writers--differ as to which of two constructions should be used, or the same writer will use both indifferently. Instances will be found in treating of the pronoun or noun with a gerund, pronoun and antecedent, sometimes verb and subject, etc.
When usage varies as to a given construction, both forms will be given in the following pages.
393. Our treatment of syntax will be an endeavor to record the best usage of the present time on important points; and nothing but important points will be considered, for it is easy to confuse a student with too many obtrusive _don'ts_.