grammar

[ gram-er ]

noun

1. the study of the way the sentences of a language are constructed; morphology and syntax.
2. these features or constructions themselves:

   English grammar.

3. an account of these features; a set of rules accounting for these constructions:

   a grammar of English.

4. Generative Grammar. a device, as a body of rules, whose output is all of the sentences that are permissible in a given language, while excluding all those that are not permissible.
5. prescriptive grammar.
6. knowledge or usage of the preferred or prescribed forms in speaking or writing:

   She said his grammar was terrible.

7. the elements of any science, art, or subject.
8. a book treating such elements.

grammar

/ ˈɡræmə /

noun

1. the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology, sometimes also phonology and semantics
2. the abstract system of rules in terms of which a person's mastery of his native language can be explained
3. a systematic description of the grammatical facts of a language
4. a book containing an account of the grammatical facts of a language or recommendations as to rules for the proper use of a language
5. 1. the use of language with regard to its correctness or social propriety, esp in syntax

      the teacher told him to watch his grammar

   2. ( as modifier )

      a grammar book

6. the elementary principles of a science or art

   the grammar of drawing

grammar

1. The rules for standard use of words. A grammar is also a system for classifying and analyzing the elements of language.

Derived Forms

• ˈgrammarless, adjective

Other Words From

• grammar·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of grammar¹

1325–75; Middle English gramery < Old French gramaire < Latin gramatica < Greek grammatikḕ ( téchnē ) grammatical (art); -ar ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of grammar¹

C14: from Old French gramaire, from Latin grammatica, from Greek grammatikē ( tekhnē ) the grammatical (art), from grammatikos concerning letters, from gramma letter

Example Sentences

At his best, he was an inventor of part of the modern cinema's grammar.

From The Daily Beast

Fear of offending the grammar police can even produce a novel type of error called a hypercorrection.

From The Daily Beast

The outraged grammar stickler mistakes a convention for an immutable and fundamental law of the universe.

From The Daily Beast

When you approached T.I., London Grammar, and Fall Out Boy to do this, what was their initial response to it?

From The Daily Beast

At one point did you think, “T.I., London Grammar, and Fall Out Boy together”?

From The Daily Beast

The second grammar class had been relieved from a recitation by this confab, and somehow Perry had a subduing influence.

From Project Gutenberg

A barber having a dispute with a parish clerk on a point of grammar, the latter said it was a downright barbarism, indeed.

From Project Gutenberg

French, the English Grammar, and the rudiments of Latin comprised the only systematic training which she received.

From Project Gutenberg

There was Cliff Manning, you turned the cold shoulder to him because he couldnt talk grammar.

From Project Gutenberg

He wouldnt talk grammar, or he couldnt spell or read Greek, and she will turn away, laughed Mrs. Wadsworth.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• alphabet
• syntax