Syntax, Semantic, Pragmatics
Syntax concerns the proper ordering of words and its affect on meaning.
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The dog bit the boy.
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The boy bit the dog.
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* Bit boy dog the the.
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Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.
Semantics concerns the (literal) meaning of words, phrases, and sentences.
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“plant” as a photosynthetic organism
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“plant” as a manufacturing facility
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“plant” as the act of sowing
Pragmatics concerns the overall communicative and social context and its
effect on interpretation.
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The ham sandwich wants another beer. (co-reference, anaphora)
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John thinks vanilla. (ellipsis)
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