Simply put, Syntax is the collection of rules which go together to form sentences and phrases in a language.

For example, the rules of syntax say that an English sentence can be formed thus:

{subject} + {verb} + {object}

Michael + rowed + the boat

The rules of syntax say this is not permissible, however:

{subject} + {object} + {verb}

* Michael + the boat + rowed

* an asterisk at the beginning of an example means it’s ungrammatical

Syntax vs Grammar

Grammar consists, generally speaking, of two parts:

1. syntax which talks about the way we’re allowed to put words together in sentences
2. morphology which is the way words are made up and change

In general in your TEFL class it’s probably best to simply talk about grammar with your class; using words like syntax or morphology is probably going too far with most classes and will just invite confusion.

Etymology

As you might guess, the word syntax comes from Ancient Greek σύνταξις or syntaxis which is made up of two parts: σύν or syn meaning together and τάξις or taxis meaning ordering. Together it means something like coordination.

Useful Links

SVO‏‎ – Subject Verb Object – the usual way sentences are formed in English

Sentences‏‎ in English Grammar – an overview of sentences