Which sentence exhibits the highest syntactic complexity?

Which sentence exhibits the highest syntactic complexity?

• A. Is John helping Bill?
• B. Why is John helping Bill?
• C. John isn't helping Bill.
• D. Why isn't John helping Bill?

Answer: (D)

The sentence that demonstrates the highest syntactic complexity is the one that contains both an interrogative format and a negative auxiliary verb. In this case, the chosen sentence incorporates these elements, which adds additional layers of structure and cognitive processing. The structure of "Why isn't John helping Bill?" involves several components: it begins with an interrogative word ("Why"), followed by the negative form of the auxiliary verb ("isn't"), and concludes with the main verb phrase ("helping Bill"). This combination requires the listener or reader to process the intent behind the question (seeking a reason) while also managing the negation, which adds complexity to its interpretation. Other options, although they are questions, are less complex. For instance, "Is John helping Bill?" and "John isn't helping Bill." are straightforward inquiries or statements without the added layer of negation or the need for reasoning that "Why isn't John helping Bill?" encompasses. Thus, the highest syntactic complexity is found in the chosen sentence due to its combination of the interrogative, the negative, and the action phrase.

The sentence that demonstrates the highest syntactic complexity is the one that contains both an interrogative format and a negative auxiliary verb. In this case, the chosen sentence incorporates these elements, which adds additional layers of structure and cognitive processing.

The structure of "Why isn't John helping Bill?" involves several components: it begins with an interrogative word ("Why"), followed by the negative form of the auxiliary verb ("isn't"), and concludes with the main verb phrase ("helping Bill"). This combination requires the listener or reader to process the intent behind the question (seeking a reason) while also managing the negation, which adds complexity to its interpretation.

Other options, although they are questions, are less complex. For instance, "Is John helping Bill?" and "John isn't helping Bill." are straightforward inquiries or statements without the added layer of negation or the need for reasoning that "Why isn't John helping Bill?" encompasses. Thus, the highest syntactic complexity is found in the chosen sentence due to its combination of the interrogative, the negative, and the action phrase.