Abnormal lexical patterns Abnormal syntax 2024-08-03T09:59:36Z Persistent abnormalities in sentence structure exceeding that of the context and background culture of the person. Syntax refers to the set of rules, principles, and processes that govern the structure of sentences in a particular language, including word order and the arrangement of phrases and clauses. Abnormal syntax occurs when the structure of a sentence deviates from the standard or expected patterns of word order and phrase arrangement in a given language. For example, in English, the typical word order for a declarative sentence is Subject-Verb-Object (SVO). An abnormal syntax could be: To the store I went (instead of I went to the store). In contrast, abnormal grammar would include a sentence such as She reading a books (the verb is is missing, and books should be singular).