Earlier quoted context omitted.
Learn basic syntax and you'll spend the next few decades wondering each time _which_ basic syntax is expected because none of them ever say.
I know the basic syntax and I never have that problem. Perhaps you mean the advanced syntax? However I don't see the problem, there either. I usually don't need it, and to be honest, when I do, I find it more maintainable to use multiple simpler expressions combined with some programming.
He meant “syntax” in the sense that different regex engines have different syntax and capabilities - can I do a negative look ahead assertion in engines Z, how do I do a zero width lookaround in pcre, gnu, python, posix, etc.
Depending how far down the rabbit hole you want to go, start here: