Old English syntax shares similarities with Modern English but has distinct features including fuller inflections for nouns and adjectives, which agreed in case, number, and gender. It lacked articles, used the subjunctive mood more frequently, and allowed for a flexible word order. Other notable aspects include the use of impersonal verbs, omission of subjects when implied, and variations in clause subordination.

1. Old English Syntax
Dr. Mubarak Alkhatnai

2. OE syntax has close kinship to Modern
English syntax, yet there are differences:
1- Nouns, adjectives and most pronouns
had fuller inflections than their modern
developments. The inflected forms were
used to signal the word’s function in the
sentence.
2- Adjectives agreed in case, number, and
gender with their nouns.
3- Adjectives were inflected for
“definiteness” in what was called strong
and weak declensions.

3. 4- Numbers were used (as in ME) to
◦ Modify a noun e.g. pritig rihtwisra “Thirty
Shillings”
◦ As nominals in genitive case. e.g. prtig
rihtwisra “thirty of rightous men”.
5- OE used the genitive inflection in many
circumstances. (of phrase in ME). e.g. “a
great deal of the Island”
6- OE had no articles. Anglo-Saxons used
se “that” pes “this” for definite article. For
indefinite articles an “one” sum “certain”.

4. 7- OE could form verb phrases like ME
(Have + be with participles). e.g. has run
– is running.
◦ The form has been running was not used
◦ ME he had come = OE he ær com “he earlier
come”.
8- OE formed passive like ME but tended to
use the infinitive. Heo heht hine læran
“she ordered him to be taught”
9- Subjunctive mood (for wishes, emotions
..etc) was more common in OE. e.g. if I
were you, I would ….

5. 10- OE has a number of impersonal verbs
that were used without a subject. e.g. Me
lyst rædan “[it] Pleases me to read”
11- The subject of OE verb could be
omitted if it was implied by the context.
12- The subject of OE verb could be
mentioned twice.
13- OE negative adverb ne came before the
verb. Ic ne dyde “I not did” instead of I
did not.
14- OE word order was not fixed as ME.
Object pronoun might come before verb
instead of after it.

6. 15- OE has different ways of subordinating
clauses.
Parataxis (the act of placing side by side).
It is a literary technique that favors short,
simple sentences with the use of
coordinating (and, or, nor …) rather than
subordinating conjunctions (although, as
far as …).