diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/noder/expr.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/noder/expr.go
index 51b0656385..14ef3b958f 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/noder/expr.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/noder/expr.go
@@ -11,17 +11,6 @@ import (
 	"cmd/compile/internal/syntax"
 )
 
-func unpackListExpr(expr syntax.Expr) []syntax.Expr {
-	switch expr := expr.(type) {
-	case nil:
-		return nil
-	case *syntax.ListExpr:
-		return expr.ElemList
-	default:
-		return []syntax.Expr{expr}
-	}
-}
-
 // constExprOp returns an ir.Op that represents the outermost
 // operation of the given constant expression. It's intended for use
 // with ir.RawOrigExpr.
@@ -43,13 +32,3 @@ func constExprOp(expr syntax.Expr) ir.Op {
 		return binOps[expr.Op]
 	}
 }
-
-func unparen(expr syntax.Expr) syntax.Expr {
-	for {
-		paren, ok := expr.(*syntax.ParenExpr)
-		if !ok {
-			return expr
-		}
-		expr = paren.X
-	}
-}
diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/noder/quirks.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/noder/quirks.go
index a22577f965..dd9cec9250 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/noder/quirks.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/noder/quirks.go
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func typeExprEndPos(expr0 syntax.Expr) syntax.Pos {
 			}
 
 		case *syntax.IndexExpr: // explicit type instantiation
-			targs := unpackListExpr(expr.Index)
+			targs := syntax.UnpackListExpr(expr.Index)
 			expr0 = targs[len(targs)-1]
 
 		default:
diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/noder/writer.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/noder/writer.go
index 07b46b1f2c..10cf46f3f2 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/noder/writer.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/noder/writer.go
@@ -1304,7 +1304,7 @@ func (w *writer) stmt1(stmt syntax.Stmt) {
 		dstType := func(i int) types2.Type {
 			return resultTypes.At(i).Type()
 		}
-		w.multiExpr(stmt, dstType, unpackListExpr(stmt.Results))
+		w.multiExpr(stmt, dstType, syntax.UnpackListExpr(stmt.Results))
 
 	case *syntax.SelectStmt:
 		w.Code(stmtSelect)
@@ -1325,7 +1325,7 @@ func (w *writer) stmt1(stmt syntax.Stmt) {
 }
 
 func (w *writer) assignList(expr syntax.Expr) {
-	exprs := unpackListExpr(expr)
+	exprs := syntax.UnpackListExpr(expr)
 	w.Len(len(exprs))
 
 	for _, expr := range exprs {
@@ -1334,7 +1334,7 @@ func (w *writer) assignList(expr syntax.Expr) {
 }
 
 func (w *writer) assign(expr syntax.Expr) {
-	expr = unparen(expr)
+	expr = syntax.Unparen(expr)
 
 	if name, ok := expr.(*syntax.Name); ok {
 		if name.Value == "_" {
@@ -1375,8 +1375,8 @@ func (w *writer) declStmt(decl syntax.Decl) {
 
 // assignStmt writes out an assignment for "lhs = rhs".
 func (w *writer) assignStmt(pos poser, lhs0, rhs0 syntax.Expr) {
-	lhs := unpackListExpr(lhs0)
-	rhs := unpackListExpr(rhs0)
+	lhs := syntax.UnpackListExpr(lhs0)
+	rhs := syntax.UnpackListExpr(rhs0)
 
 	w.Code(stmtAssign)
 	w.pos(pos)
@@ -1393,7 +1393,7 @@ func (w *writer) assignStmt(pos poser, lhs0, rhs0 syntax.Expr) {
 		// Finding dstType is somewhat involved, because for VarDecl
 		// statements, the Names are only added to the info.{Defs,Uses}
 		// maps, not to info.Types.
-		if name, ok := unparen(dst).(*syntax.Name); ok {
+		if name, ok := syntax.Unparen(dst).(*syntax.Name); ok {
 			if name.Value == "_" {
 				return nil // ok: no implicit conversion
 			} else if def, ok := w.p.info.Defs[name].(*types2.Var); ok {
@@ -1432,12 +1432,12 @@ func (w *writer) forStmt(stmt *syntax.ForStmt) {
 			w.rtype(xtyp)
 		}
 		{
-			lhs := unpackListExpr(rang.Lhs)
+			lhs := syntax.UnpackListExpr(rang.Lhs)
 			assign := func(i int, src types2.Type) {
 				if i >= len(lhs) {
 					return
 				}
-				dst := unparen(lhs[i])
+				dst := syntax.Unparen(lhs[i])
 				if name, ok := dst.(*syntax.Name); ok && name.Value == "_" {
 					return
 				}
@@ -1603,7 +1603,7 @@ func (w *writer) switchStmt(stmt *syntax.SwitchStmt) {
 					if clause.Cases == nil {
 						target = clause
 					}
-					for _, cas := range unpackListExpr(clause.Cases) {
+					for _, cas := range syntax.UnpackListExpr(clause.Cases) {
 						tv := w.p.typeAndValue(cas)
 						if tv.Value == nil {
 							return // non-constant case; give up
@@ -1642,7 +1642,7 @@ func (w *writer) switchStmt(stmt *syntax.SwitchStmt) {
 		// `any` instead.
 	Outer:
 		for _, clause := range stmt.Body {
-			for _, cas := range unpackListExpr(clause.Cases) {
+			for _, cas := range syntax.UnpackListExpr(clause.Cases) {
 				if casType := w.p.typeOf(cas); !types2.AssignableTo(casType, tagType) {
 					tagType = types2.NewInterfaceType(nil, nil)
 					break Outer
@@ -1664,7 +1664,7 @@ func (w *writer) switchStmt(stmt *syntax.SwitchStmt) {
 
 		w.pos(clause)
 
-		cases := unpackListExpr(clause.Cases)
+		cases := syntax.UnpackListExpr(clause.Cases)
 		if iface != nil {
 			w.Len(len(cases))
 			for _, cas := range cases {
@@ -1692,7 +1692,7 @@ func (w *writer) switchStmt(stmt *syntax.SwitchStmt) {
 			// instead just set the variable's DWARF scoping info earlier so
 			// we can give it the correct position information.
 			pos := clause.Pos()
-			if typs := unpackListExpr(clause.Cases); len(typs) != 0 {
+			if typs := syntax.UnpackListExpr(clause.Cases); len(typs) != 0 {
 				pos = typeExprEndPos(typs[len(typs)-1])
 			}
 			w.pos(pos)
@@ -1731,7 +1731,7 @@ func (w *writer) optLabel(label *syntax.Name) {
 func (w *writer) expr(expr syntax.Expr) {
 	base.Assertf(expr != nil, "missing expression")
 
-	expr = unparen(expr) // skip parens; unneeded after typecheck
+	expr = syntax.Unparen(expr) // skip parens; unneeded after typecheck
 
 	obj, inst := lookupObj(w.p, expr)
 	targs := inst.TypeArgs
@@ -1990,7 +1990,7 @@ func (w *writer) expr(expr syntax.Expr) {
 		}
 
 		writeFunExpr := func() {
-			fun := unparen(expr.Fun)
+			fun := syntax.Unparen(expr.Fun)
 
 			if selector, ok := fun.(*syntax.SelectorExpr); ok {
 				if sel, ok := w.p.info.Selections[selector]; ok && sel.Kind() == types2.MethodVal {
@@ -2304,7 +2304,7 @@ type posVar struct {
 
 func (w *writer) exprList(expr syntax.Expr) {
 	w.Sync(pkgbits.SyncExprList)
-	w.exprs(unpackListExpr(expr))
+	w.exprs(syntax.UnpackListExpr(expr))
 }
 
 func (w *writer) exprs(exprs []syntax.Expr) {
@@ -2789,7 +2789,7 @@ func isGlobal(obj types2.Object) bool {
 // object is returned as well.
 func lookupObj(p *pkgWriter, expr syntax.Expr) (obj types2.Object, inst types2.Instance) {
 	if index, ok := expr.(*syntax.IndexExpr); ok {
-		args := unpackListExpr(index.Index)
+		args := syntax.UnpackListExpr(index.Index)
 		if len(args) == 1 {
 			tv := p.typeAndValue(args[0])
 			if tv.IsValue() {
@@ -2835,7 +2835,7 @@ func isNil(p *pkgWriter, expr syntax.Expr) bool {
 // isBuiltin reports whether expr is a (possibly parenthesized)
 // referenced to the specified built-in function.
 func (pw *pkgWriter) isBuiltin(expr syntax.Expr, builtin string) bool {
-	if name, ok := unparen(expr).(*syntax.Name); ok && name.Value == builtin {
+	if name, ok := syntax.Unparen(expr).(*syntax.Name); ok && name.Value == builtin {
 		return pw.typeAndValue(name).IsBuiltin()
 	}
 	return false
@@ -2955,7 +2955,7 @@ func (pw *pkgWriter) terminates(stmt syntax.Stmt) bool {
 	case *syntax.ReturnStmt:
 		return true
 	case *syntax.ExprStmt:
-		if call, ok := unparen(stmt.X).(*syntax.CallExpr); ok {
+		if call, ok := syntax.Unparen(stmt.X).(*syntax.CallExpr); ok {
 			if pw.isBuiltin(call.Fun, "panic") {
 				return true
 			}
diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/syntax/parser.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/syntax/parser.go
index b5602fcff7..7085287cad 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/syntax/parser.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/syntax/parser.go
@@ -885,7 +885,7 @@ func (p *parser) unaryExpr() Expr {
 			p.next()
 			// unaryExpr may have returned a parenthesized composite literal
 			// (see comment in operand) - remove parentheses if any
-			x.X = unparen(p.unaryExpr())
+			x.X = Unparen(p.unaryExpr())
 			return x
 		}
 
@@ -965,7 +965,7 @@ func (p *parser) callStmt() *CallStmt {
 	p.next()
 
 	x := p.pexpr(nil, p.tok == _Lparen) // keep_parens so we can report error below
-	if t := unparen(x); t != x {
+	if t := Unparen(x); t != x {
 		p.errorAt(x.Pos(), fmt.Sprintf("expression in %s must not be parenthesized", s.Tok))
 		// already progressed, no need to advance
 		x = t
@@ -1190,7 +1190,7 @@ loop:
 		case _Lbrace:
 			// operand may have returned a parenthesized complit
 			// type; accept it but complain if we have a complit
-			t := unparen(x)
+			t := Unparen(x)
 			// determine if '{' belongs to a composite literal or a block statement
 			complit_ok := false
 			switch t.(type) {
@@ -2812,8 +2812,8 @@ func (p *parser) typeList(strict bool) (x Expr, comma bool) {
 	return
 }
 
-// unparen removes all parentheses around an expression.
-func unparen(x Expr) Expr {
+// Unparen returns e with any enclosing parentheses stripped.
+func Unparen(x Expr) Expr {
 	for {
 		p, ok := x.(*ParenExpr)
 		if !ok {
@@ -2823,3 +2823,15 @@ func unparen(x Expr) Expr {
 	}
 	return x
 }
+
+// UnpackListExpr unpacks a *ListExpr into a []Expr.
+func UnpackListExpr(x Expr) []Expr {
+	switch x := x.(type) {
+	case nil:
+		return nil
+	case *ListExpr:
+		return x.ElemList
+	default:
+		return []Expr{x}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/syntax/parser_test.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/syntax/parser_test.go
index d5d4290f59..538278b3eb 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/syntax/parser_test.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/syntax/parser_test.go
@@ -374,3 +374,22 @@ func TestLineDirectives(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// Test that typical uses of UnpackListExpr don't allocate.
+func TestUnpackListExprAllocs(t *testing.T) {
+	var x Expr = NewName(Pos{}, "x")
+	allocs := testing.AllocsPerRun(1000, func() {
+		list := UnpackListExpr(x)
+		if len(list) != 1 || list[0] != x {
+			t.Fatalf("unexpected result")
+		}
+	})
+
+	if allocs > 0 {
+		errorf := t.Errorf
+		if testenv.OptimizationOff() {
+			errorf = t.Logf // noopt builder disables inlining
+		}
+		errorf("UnpackListExpr allocated %v times", allocs)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/syntax/printer.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/syntax/printer.go
index 62de68ed66..9f20db54de 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/syntax/printer.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/syntax/printer.go
@@ -916,7 +916,7 @@ func (p *printer) printParameterList(list []*Field, tok token) {
 			}
 			p.print(blank)
 		}
-		p.printNode(unparen(f.Type)) // no need for (extra) parentheses around parameter types
+		p.printNode(Unparen(f.Type)) // no need for (extra) parentheses around parameter types
 	}
 	// A type parameter list [P T] where the name P and the type expression T syntactically
 	// combine to another valid (value) expression requires a trailing comma, as in [P *T,]
diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/assignments.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/assignments.go
index cba102e4f4..28ceb6cd75 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/assignments.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/assignments.go
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ func (check *Checker) initVar(lhs *Var, x *operand, context string) {
 // and Typ[Invalid] if it is an invalid lhs expression.
 func (check *Checker) lhsVar(lhs syntax.Expr) Type {
 	// Determine if the lhs is a (possibly parenthesized) identifier.
-	ident, _ := unparen(lhs).(*syntax.Name)
+	ident, _ := syntax.Unparen(lhs).(*syntax.Name)
 
 	// Don't evaluate lhs if it is the blank identifier.
 	if ident != nil && ident.Value == "_" {
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ func (check *Checker) assignError(rhs []syntax.Expr, l, r int) {
 	rhs0 := rhs[0]
 
 	if len(rhs) == 1 {
-		if call, _ := unparen(rhs0).(*syntax.CallExpr); call != nil {
+		if call, _ := syntax.Unparen(rhs0).(*syntax.CallExpr); call != nil {
 			check.errorf(rhs0, WrongAssignCount, "assignment mismatch: %s but %s returns %s", vars, call.Fun, vals)
 			return
 		}
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ func (check *Checker) initVars(lhs []*Var, orig_rhs []syntax.Expr, returnStmt sy
 	// error message don't handle it as n:n mapping below.
 	isCall := false
 	if r == 1 {
-		_, isCall = unparen(orig_rhs[0]).(*syntax.CallExpr)
+		_, isCall = syntax.Unparen(orig_rhs[0]).(*syntax.CallExpr)
 	}
 
 	// If we have a n:n mapping from lhs variable to rhs expression,
@@ -436,7 +436,7 @@ func (check *Checker) assignVars(lhs, orig_rhs []syntax.Expr) {
 	// error message don't handle it as n:n mapping below.
 	isCall := false
 	if r == 1 {
-		_, isCall = unparen(orig_rhs[0]).(*syntax.CallExpr)
+		_, isCall = syntax.Unparen(orig_rhs[0]).(*syntax.CallExpr)
 	}
 
 	// If we have a n:n mapping from lhs variable to rhs expression,
@@ -483,21 +483,6 @@ func (check *Checker) assignVars(lhs, orig_rhs []syntax.Expr) {
 	// orig_rhs[0] was already evaluated
 }
 
-// unpackExpr unpacks a *syntax.ListExpr into a list of syntax.Expr.
-// Helper introduced for the go/types -> types2 port.
-// TODO(gri) Should find a more efficient solution that doesn't
-// require introduction of a new slice for simple
-// expressions.
-func unpackExpr(x syntax.Expr) []syntax.Expr {
-	if x, _ := x.(*syntax.ListExpr); x != nil {
-		return x.ElemList
-	}
-	if x != nil {
-		return []syntax.Expr{x}
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
 func (check *Checker) shortVarDecl(pos syntax.Pos, lhs, rhs []syntax.Expr) {
 	top := len(check.delayed)
 	scope := check.scope
diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/builtins.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/builtins.go
index 7a209e7a97..53be480f54 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/builtins.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/builtins.go
@@ -706,7 +706,7 @@ func (check *Checker) builtin(x *operand, call *syntax.CallExpr, id builtinId) (
 		// unsafe.Offsetof(x T) uintptr, where x must be a selector
 		// (no argument evaluated yet)
 		arg0 := argList[0]
-		selx, _ := unparen(arg0).(*syntax.SelectorExpr)
+		selx, _ := syntax.Unparen(arg0).(*syntax.SelectorExpr)
 		if selx == nil {
 			check.errorf(arg0, BadOffsetofSyntax, invalidArg+"%s is not a selector expression", arg0)
 			check.use(arg0)
diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/call.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/call.go
index f7a8a8dfcd..643242db57 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/call.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/call.go
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ func (check *Checker) funcInst(tsig *Signature, pos syntax.Pos, x *operand, inst
 	var targs []Type
 	var xlist []syntax.Expr
 	if inst != nil {
-		xlist = unpackExpr(inst.Index)
+		xlist = syntax.UnpackListExpr(inst.Index)
 		targs = check.typeList(xlist)
 		if targs == nil {
 			x.mode = invalid
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ func (check *Checker) callExpr(x *operand, call *syntax.CallExpr) exprKind {
 	var xlist []syntax.Expr
 	var targs []Type
 	if inst != nil {
-		xlist = unpackExpr(inst.Index)
+		xlist = syntax.UnpackListExpr(inst.Index)
 		targs = check.typeList(xlist)
 		if targs == nil {
 			check.use(call.ArgList...)
@@ -953,7 +953,7 @@ func (check *Checker) useN(args []syntax.Expr, lhs bool) bool {
 func (check *Checker) use1(e syntax.Expr, lhs bool) bool {
 	var x operand
 	x.mode = value // anything but invalid
-	switch n := unparen(e).(type) {
+	switch n := syntax.Unparen(e).(type) {
 	case nil:
 		// nothing to do
 	case *syntax.Name:
diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/decl.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/decl.go
index 88864cb93e..2914b496f4 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/decl.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/decl.go
@@ -777,7 +777,7 @@ func (check *Checker) declStmt(list []syntax.Decl) {
 
 			// declare all constants
 			lhs := make([]*Const, len(s.NameList))
-			values := unpackExpr(last.Values)
+			values := syntax.UnpackListExpr(last.Values)
 			for i, name := range s.NameList {
 				obj := NewConst(name.Pos(), pkg, name.Value, nil, iota)
 				lhs[i] = obj
@@ -814,7 +814,7 @@ func (check *Checker) declStmt(list []syntax.Decl) {
 			}
 
 			// initialize all variables
-			values := unpackExpr(s.Values)
+			values := syntax.UnpackListExpr(s.Values)
 			for i, obj := range lhs0 {
 				var lhs []*Var
 				var init syntax.Expr
diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/expr.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/expr.go
index 67afbfb058..f28fbae123 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/expr.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/expr.go
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ func (check *Checker) unary(x *operand, e *syntax.Operation) {
 	case syntax.And:
 		// spec: "As an exception to the addressability
 		// requirement x may also be a composite literal."
-		if _, ok := unparen(e.X).(*syntax.CompositeLit); !ok && x.mode != variable {
+		if _, ok := syntax.Unparen(e.X).(*syntax.CompositeLit); !ok && x.mode != variable {
 			check.errorf(x, UnaddressableOperand, invalidOp+"cannot take address of %s", x)
 			x.mode = invalid
 			return
diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/resolver.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/resolver.go
index d051fb50e1..a76e6d3204 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/resolver.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/resolver.go
@@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ func (check *Checker) collectObjects() {
 				}
 
 				// declare all constants
-				values := unpackExpr(last.Values)
+				values := syntax.UnpackListExpr(last.Values)
 				for i, name := range s.NameList {
 					obj := NewConst(name.Pos(), pkg, name.Value, nil, iota)
 
@@ -382,7 +382,7 @@ func (check *Checker) collectObjects() {
 				}
 
 				// declare all variables
-				values := unpackExpr(s.Values)
+				values := syntax.UnpackListExpr(s.Values)
 				for i, name := range s.NameList {
 					obj := NewVar(name.Pos(), pkg, name.Value, nil)
 					lhs[i] = obj
@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ L: // unpack receiver type
 	if ptyp, _ := rtyp.(*syntax.IndexExpr); ptyp != nil {
 		rtyp = ptyp.X
 		if unpackParams {
-			for _, arg := range unpackExpr(ptyp.Index) {
+			for _, arg := range syntax.UnpackListExpr(ptyp.Index) {
 				var par *syntax.Name
 				switch arg := arg.(type) {
 				case *syntax.Name:
@@ -588,7 +588,7 @@ func (check *Checker) resolveBaseTypeName(seenPtr bool, typ syntax.Expr, fileSco
 				return false, nil
 			}
 			ptr = true
-			typ = unparen(pexpr.X) // continue with pointer base type
+			typ = syntax.Unparen(pexpr.X) // continue with pointer base type
 		}
 
 		// typ must be a name, or a C.name cgo selector.
diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/return.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/return.go
index ab611ef9b2..01988b012e 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/return.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/return.go
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ func (check *Checker) isTerminating(s syntax.Stmt, label string) bool {
 
 	case *syntax.ExprStmt:
 		// calling the predeclared (possibly parenthesized) panic() function is terminating
-		if call, ok := unparen(s.X).(*syntax.CallExpr); ok && check.isPanic[call] {
+		if call, ok := syntax.Unparen(s.X).(*syntax.CallExpr); ok && check.isPanic[call] {
 			return true
 		}
 
diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/stmt.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/stmt.go
index f13ab69830..3b8c79f108 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/stmt.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/stmt.go
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ L:
 // isNil reports whether the expression e denotes the predeclared value nil.
 func (check *Checker) isNil(e syntax.Expr) bool {
 	// The only way to express the nil value is by literally writing nil (possibly in parentheses).
-	if name, _ := unparen(e).(*syntax.Name); name != nil {
+	if name, _ := syntax.Unparen(e).(*syntax.Name); name != nil {
 		_, ok := check.lookup(name.Value).(*Nil)
 		return ok
 	}
@@ -462,8 +462,8 @@ func (check *Checker) stmt(ctxt stmtContext, s syntax.Stmt) {
 			return
 		}
 
-		lhs := unpackExpr(s.Lhs)
-		rhs := unpackExpr(s.Rhs)
+		lhs := syntax.UnpackListExpr(s.Lhs)
+		rhs := syntax.UnpackListExpr(s.Rhs)
 		switch s.Op {
 		case 0:
 			check.assignVars(lhs, rhs)
@@ -494,7 +494,7 @@ func (check *Checker) stmt(ctxt stmtContext, s syntax.Stmt) {
 		res := check.sig.results
 		// Return with implicit results allowed for function with named results.
 		// (If one is named, all are named.)
-		results := unpackExpr(s.Results)
+		results := syntax.UnpackListExpr(s.Results)
 		if len(results) == 0 && res.Len() > 0 && res.vars[0].name != "" {
 			// spec: "Implementation restriction: A compiler may disallow an empty expression
 			// list in a "return" statement if a different entity (constant, type, or variable)
@@ -621,7 +621,7 @@ func (check *Checker) stmt(ctxt stmtContext, s syntax.Stmt) {
 
 			// if present, rhs must be a receive operation
 			if rhs != nil {
-				if x, _ := unparen(rhs).(*syntax.Operation); x != nil && x.Y == nil && x.Op == syntax.Recv {
+				if x, _ := syntax.Unparen(rhs).(*syntax.Operation); x != nil && x.Y == nil && x.Op == syntax.Recv {
 					valid = true
 				}
 			}
@@ -718,7 +718,7 @@ func (check *Checker) switchStmt(inner stmtContext, s *syntax.SwitchStmt) {
 		} else {
 			inner |= finalSwitchCase
 		}
-		check.caseValues(&x, unpackExpr(clause.Cases), seen)
+		check.caseValues(&x, syntax.UnpackListExpr(clause.Cases), seen)
 		check.openScopeUntil(clause, end, "case")
 		check.stmtList(inner, clause.Body)
 		check.closeScope()
@@ -778,7 +778,7 @@ func (check *Checker) typeSwitchStmt(inner stmtContext, s *syntax.SwitchStmt, gu
 			end = s.Body[i+1].Pos()
 		}
 		// Check each type in this type switch case.
-		cases := unpackExpr(clause.Cases)
+		cases := syntax.UnpackListExpr(clause.Cases)
 		T := check.caseTypes(sx, cases, seen)
 		check.openScopeUntil(clause, end, "case")
 		// If lhs exists, declare a corresponding variable in the case-local scope.
diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/typexpr.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/typexpr.go
index ca717fed8b..5a59db023a 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/typexpr.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/typexpr.go
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ func (check *Checker) typInternal(e0 syntax.Expr, def *Named) (T Type) {
 
 	case *syntax.IndexExpr:
 		check.verifyVersionf(e, go1_18, "type instantiation")
-		return check.instantiatedType(e.X, unpackExpr(e.Index), def)
+		return check.instantiatedType(e.X, syntax.UnpackListExpr(e.Index), def)
 
 	case *syntax.ParenExpr:
 		// Generic types must be instantiated before they can be used in any form.