QUESTION 2 :

What do you think of prescriptive and descriptive grammar? Give

your comments.
Prescriptive and descriptive grammar are types
of grammar which are different ways of
describing and analyzing the structure and
functions of language.

Both types of grammar concern with rules but in

a different way.
 Descriptive Grammar
• Descriptive grammar is the systematic study and description of a
language. Descriptive grammar refers to the structure of a language as
it is actually used by speakers and writers. It is a grammar based on
the way a language actually is and not how some think it should be.

• Descriptive grammarians generally advise us not to be overly

concerned with matters of correctness: language, they say, isn't good
or bad; it simply is. 

• Specialists in descriptive grammar (called linguists) study the rules or

patterns that underlie our use of words, phrases, clauses, and
sentences.
 Prescriptive (traditional) approach:
• 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.

• Attitudes toward language based on what is

held to be “correct” by socially prestigious
elements and by teachers
• This attitude evinces complete disregard for
the way a community actually speaks
Examples of common prescriptive rules

• Do not use ‘ain’t’

• Do not use a preposition to end a sentence with
• Pronounce the -ing at the end of words, not -in’
• Do not split infinitives:
“to boldly go where man has never gone
before”
is wrong, they say
 Example
Prescriptive grammar will tell you that this sentence is
incorrect.
• I'm older than her.
and that you should say
• I'm older than she.

While descriptive grammar will tell you that ‘I’m older

than her’ is a valid form of expressing difference in
age in certain areas, group ages or social circles.
[1] Descriptive grammar: a grammar that "describes" how language is used by its
speakers.

• 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.

[2] Prescriptive grammar: a grammar that "prescribes" 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 as a conjunction, so speakers should use "she" in that context.