Which term best describes the grammar of sentences in reading?

The term that best describes the grammar of sentences in reading is syntactic structure. Syntactic structure refers to the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language. It encompasses the rules and conventions that govern sentence formation, such as word order, tense, and agreements, which are essential for understanding the grammaticality of a sentence.

In reading, recognizing the syntactic structure helps readers comprehend the relationships between different parts of a sentence, which ultimately aids in their overall understanding of the text. For instance, understanding how subjects and verbs interact can clarify meaning and eliminate ambiguity in sentences.

The other concepts—semantic meaning, pragmatic context, and fluency—play significant roles in language and reading but do not specifically address grammar. Semantic meaning relates to the meaning of words and sentences, pragmatic context focuses on the social or contextual elements of communication, and fluency pertains to the smoothness and ease of reading. These aspects are crucial for overall comprehension, but they do not directly define the grammatical structure of sentences as syntactic structure does.