Is this sentence syntactically correct?

Question

Is she hiding in the kite?

I know that the sentence doesn't make sense and that it's not grammatically correct; however, does that mean that it's also not syntactically correct? As far as determiners, subjects, nouns, prepositions, and verbs go, they're all in the correct order. I guess what I'm trying to get at is whether meaning is part of syntax?

Also, please consider the following sentence:

Is she hiding in the bed?

Is this poor syntax also? Shouldn't it be "Is she hiding on the bed?"

I can't change the sentences. These were said by a five year old, and I have to analyze them for an assignment.

Answer 1

Is she hiding in the covers? seems to be better suited.

I dont know tho, it could be correct. Can you change the sentence around? You can't really hide in a kite... can you? ha I guess if it is really big.

Answer 2

I would say meaning does have an impact on which prepositions are appropriate, therefore meaning has an impact on syntax. Both sentences are formed correctly, but the kite one doesn't make much sense. The second one is possible, only because when a person is under the covers on a bed, it is said that they are "in" bed, and therefore it would make sense for someone to hide in the bed.

Answer 3

"Syntactically" comes from "Syntax" and relates to the order of things. So you are really asking if the words are in the correct order.

The two sentences "The dog bit john" vs. "John bit the dog" have the same words, the only difference is the syntax, which drastically changes the meaning.

In your case, the syntax is correct, even though the meaning may not make sense. "Is she hiding in the basement?" has the same syntax, with the prepositional phrase at the end of the sentence, and makes perfect sense.

Answer 4

It seems alright syntax-wise. But when I see that, I think of the kite as significantly larger than the hiding person. So unless the kite is huge or the person is tiny, I would maybe use "behind the kite" instead.

I think "hiding on the bed" would be better.

Answer 5

The sentences are composed properly; whether or not they make sense does not change that fact.

And you can hide in bed, I'd think (maybe not in 'the' bed but in bed) ... I get in bed when I'm going to sleep; I get on it if I'm sitting down.

Answer 6

In my opinion, syntax would include the historical setting. If that were a sentence written by Boswell (Life of Johnson,) the original version would give me not only the facts but the atmosphere in which they occurred. Any changes to punctuation would strike me as jarring and anachronistic. It all depends upon who has my ear. If I am reading the words of a modern historian, I would expect modern speech. But if I am reading Boswell, I expect and want archaic speech.

Answer 7

I think 'in' would be better than 'on.' As for the bed, you could say:

She was hiding under the bed.

And...

She was hiding behind the kite.

Answer 8

to me "Is she hiding on the bed?" implies she's sitting on top of the bed. "Is she hiding in the bed?" says she's hiding under the covers 'in' the bed. but ... i also see that she can't hide IN the bed, then she could be considered to be between the mattresses ...
i don't know if that helps .....

Answer 9

It is

I she hiding the kite? take out in
The second one is Is she hiding in the bed?

Answer 10

I think it is ok.....one could hide in a bed.