What aspect of oral language knowledge involves knowing how phrases and sentences are built?

The aspect of oral language knowledge that involves understanding how phrases and sentences are constructed is known as structure or syntax. This refers to the rules and conventions that govern sentence formation, including word order, grammatical relationships, and the organization of phrases within sentences. A solid grasp of syntax enables individuals to create meaningful and grammatically correct sentences, which is essential for effective communication.

The other options pertain to different aspects of language development. Phonemic awareness relates to recognizing and manipulating individual sounds in words, which is crucial for reading but does not address sentence construction. Semantic understanding involves comprehension of meanings of words and phrases, focusing on what is being communicated rather than how. Pragmatic usage deals with the social aspects of language, including context and the appropriate use of language in different situations, rather than sentence structure itself. Thus, the understanding of structure and syntax is critical for effective sentence construction and overall oral language proficiency.