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Descriptive & Prescriptive Grammar

Grammar refers to the structure and rules of a language. Descriptive grammar systematically studies and describes how a language is actually used by speakers, while prescriptive grammar establishes rules for how the language should be used. Whether descriptive or prescriptive grammar is better depends on the context and audience, with prescriptive grammar generally preferred for academic or business writing and descriptive grammar acceptable for more casual contexts.

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hasniza74
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495 views

Descriptive & Prescriptive Grammar

Grammar refers to the structure and rules of a language. Descriptive grammar systematically studies and describes how a language is actually used by speakers, while prescriptive grammar establishes rules for how the language should be used. Whether descriptive or prescriptive grammar is better depends on the context and audience, with prescriptive grammar generally preferred for academic or business writing and descriptive grammar acceptable for more casual contexts.

Uploaded by

hasniza74
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is Grammar?

Grammar is the Art of Speaking and Writing truly and properly.

DESCRIPTIVE GRAMMAR
The systematic study and description of a language.

It refers to the structure of a language as it is actually used by speakers and writers.

For example :-

I am older than her.


Explanation :Subject pronouns (she, he, it, and so on) are paired with a verb, whereas object pronouns (her, him, it, and so on) are not. Since the phrase "than her" doesn't have a verb we can see or hear, some speakers choose an object pronoun in the context.

PRESCRIPTIVE GRAMMAR
a set of rules and examples dealing with the syntax and word structures of a language, usually intended as an aid to the learning of that language. a grammar that "prescibes" how speakers should use the language.

For example : -

I am older than she (is older).


Explanation: 'than' is a conjunction; it joins two like forms: "I am older" with "she is older", giving "I am older than she is older", but speakers omit the last part "is older" because it's redundant. Nevertheless, according to prescriptive grammar, 'than' functions

Which is better? Descriptive or Prescriptive Grammar?


* If your audience is academic or you are writing for business, it's better to use prescriptive grammar. * In more casual situations, like emails, friendly chats, or (some) blogs, it's perfectly acceptable to use descriptive grammar.

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