What is Grammar? Grammar is the structural foundation of our ability to express ourselves.

The mo re we are aware of how it works, the more we can monitor the meaning and effecti veness of the way we and others use language. It can help foster precision, dete ct ambiguity, and exploit the richness of expression available in English. And i t can help everyone--not only teachers of English, but teachers of anything, for all teaching are ultimately a matter of getting to grips with meaning. It is necessary to know grammar, and it is better to write grammatically than no t, but it is well to remember that grammar is common speech formulated. During the middle Ages, grammar was often used to describe learning in general, including the magical, occult practices popularly associated with the scholars o f the day. People in Scotland pronounced grammar as "glam-our," and extended the association to mean magical beauty or enchantment. In the 19th century, the two versions of the word went their separate ways, so t hat our study of English grammar today may not be quite as glamorous as it used to be. Grammar is important because it is the language that makes it possible for us to talk about language. Grammar names the types of words and word groups that make up sentences not only in English but in any language. As human beings, we can p ut sentences together even as children--we can all do grammar. But to be able to talk about how sentences are built, about the types of words and word groups th at make up sentences--that knows about grammar. And knowing about grammar offers a window into the human mind and into our amazingly complex mental capacity. But the question remains: what is grammar? Descriptive Grammar and Prescriptive Grammar Descriptive grammar (definition #1) refers to the structure of a language as it is actually used by speakers and writers. Prescriptive grammar (definition #2) r efers to the structure of a language as certain people think it should be used. Both kinds of grammar are concerned with rules--but in different ways. Specialis ts in descriptive grammar (called linguists) study the rules or patterns that un derlie our use of words, phrases, clauses, and sentences. On the other hand, pre scriptive grammarians (such as most editors and teachers) lay out rules about wh use of language. at they believe to be the correct or incorrect The Value of Studying Grammar The study of grammar all by itself will not necessarily make you a better writer . But by gaining a clearer understanding of how our language works, you should a lso gain greater control over the way you shape words into sentences and sentenc es into paragraphs. In short, studying grammar may help you become a more effect ive writer. Descriptive grammarians generally advise us not to be overly concerned with matt ers of correctness: language, they say, isn't good or bad; it simply is. As the history of the glamorous word grammar demonstrates, the English language is a li ving system of communication, a continually evolving affair. Within a generation or two, words and phrases come into fashion and fall out again. Over centuries, word endings and entire sentence structures can change or disappear. Prescriptive grammarians prefer giving practical advice about using language: st raightforward rules to help us avoid making errors. The rules may be over-simpli fied at times, but they are meant to keep us out of trouble--the kind of trouble that may distract or even confuse our readers.