grammar

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "grammar" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word whenever you are discussing or referring to the rules of language that govern its structure and syntax. For example, "I struggled with grammar in school, but I have since become more comfortable with English language rules."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As he knows, the nominative and accusative cases are the reason that we don't say gibberish like "Her gave it to he and then sat by we here!" No idea is more basic to English syntax and grammar.

The Economist

Pinker calls this offense "a schoolteacher rule" that is "a product of the usual three confusions: English with Latin, informal style with incorrect grammar, and syntax with semantics".

The Economist

In 1944 he was one of two children from Walsden board school to be awarded a county minor scholarship to Todmorden grammar school.

The Guardian - Business

Busby is on the brink of 60, a Scot whose considered, relentlessly specific use of words rides easily on wayward grammar.

The Guardian - Sport

In December, he refused to license a new grammar school in Kent while – with characteristic ambiguity – suggesting this refusal was merely a technicality.

The Guardian

The singer, who is dyslexic, is not particularly worried about her often faulty spelling, grammar, or punctuation.

The Guardian

Thursday night's Banished and Sunday night's Poldark are actively rewriting the visual grammar of the costume drama as we know it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

From the 18th century onwards, there was the notion of "proper" English, an idea that expressed itself in pedantry about grammar and pronunciation but that was always about power and control.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not bad for the working-class girl who won a place at a posh grammar school, but left at 16, bullied and disillusioned.

The Guardian

Spanish might be the first language we learned growing up in Latin America, or the first language we learned being born in the US, but many Latinos do most of our formal learning in English – and it influences our understanding of the grammar and vocabulary of our mother tongue.

The Guardian - Opinion

Arriving at uni straight from an all-girls grammar school, I was completely delighted with the sheer number of acne-ridden, testosterone-overloaded boys on offer.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Proofread your work carefully or use a grammar checker to catch errors and improve the overall quality of your writing.

Common error

While a strong grasp of "grammar" is essential, avoid constructing sentences that are too convoluted or dense, as this can hinder readability and confuse your audience. Strive for a balance between grammatical accuracy and clear, concise expression.

Linguistic Context

The word "grammar" primarily functions as a noun, referring to the system of rules governing language structure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a fundamental aspect of language. Examples show it used in contexts of formal study, schools, and writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grammar" is a very common noun referring to the rules of a language, consistently used across various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It holds a neutral to formal register, appearing most frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science related sources. To enhance your writing, focus on clear sentence structures and proofreading to avoid common errors. The term is essential for effective and accurate communication, as it ensures linguistic correctness in both written and spoken language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

language rules

Focuses on the prescriptive aspect of language, emphasizing correct usage.

syntax

Refers specifically to the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.

linguistic structure

Emphasizes the underlying framework of a language, including morphology and syntax.

rules of composition

Highlights the principles governing how elements of language are combined to form coherent text.

principles of language

Emphasizes the foundational concepts that govern the use of a language.

sentence structure

Specifically refers to the way sentences are constructed, focusing on elements like subject, verb and object.

verbal agreement

Focuses on the agreement between verb and other sentence's components.

standard written English

Refers to the set of generally accepted rules and conventions for writing in English.

morphology

Deals with the internal structure of words.

parts of speech

Focuses on the classification of words based on their function in a sentence.

FAQs

How to improve my "grammar" skills?

You can improve your "grammar" skills by studying grammar rules, practicing writing, reading extensively, and seeking feedback on your writing from others.

What are the main components of "grammar"?

The main components of "grammar" include morphology (the study of word formation) and syntax (the study of sentence structure).

How does "grammar" affect communication?

"Grammar" plays a crucial role in effective communication by ensuring clarity and accuracy in conveying messages.

What is the difference between "grammar" and style?

"Grammar" refers to the structural rules of a language, while style encompasses the choices a writer makes to express themselves, such as tone, voice, and sentence variety. In short "grammar" is about correctness; style is about effectiveness.