grammar

IPA/ˈɡræmə(r)/
KK[ɡrˈæmɚ]IPA/ˈɡræmər/

grammar — noun

  • grammarsingular
  • grammarsplural

1. The complete system of principles that decides how the words of a language can b

1.nounB1
Definition

The complete system of principles that decides how the words of a language can be shaped and arranged to build acceptable sentences.

Example

Ritu has been studying Japanese grammar because she wants to work in Tokyo next year.

present perfect continuous with 'grammar' as object of study

Valentina's job-interview grammar was more formal than the grammar she uses with her classmates.

grammar + register contrast (formal vs. informal)

Common collocations
  • study grammar
  • learn grammar
  • correct grammar
  • bad grammar
  • basic grammar
  • English grammar
Synonyms
  • syntax

    narrower; covers only sentence structure and word order, not word forms or inflections

  • morphology

    narrower; covers only the internal structure of words (prefixes, suffixes, tense forms), not sentence arrangement

Grammar Patterns

grammar of [language]

[language] grammar

Usage Note

Uncountable in this sense. You cannot say 'a grammar' when referring to the rule system itself — that form belongs to the book sense (sense 2). The verb that follows 'grammar' is always singular: 'The grammar of this sentence is correct.'

Common Mistakes

I need to improve my English grammars.
I need to improve my English grammar.
'grammar' is uncountable when referring to the system of rules, so it has no plural form.
The grammar of these sentences are hard.
The grammar of these sentences is hard.
'grammar' is singular even when it applies to multiple sentences.

2. A volume that sets out the grammatical system of a language, typically organised

2.nounB2
Definition

A volume that sets out the grammatical system of a language, typically organised for study or quick reference.

Example

Dario bought a Spanish grammar to help him prepare for the exam.

countable noun: 'a Spanish grammar'

A good grammar should include plenty of practice exercises.

Common collocations
  • buy a grammar
  • use a grammar
  • recommend a grammar
  • a grammar of French
  • a good grammar
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

a grammar

a grammar of [language]

grammars

Usage Note

Countable in this sense. 'A grammar' means a grammar book, not the rule system itself. The plural 'grammars' refers to multiple books. This sense is less common in everyday speech than sense 1.

Common Mistakes

I bought a new English grammar from the shop.' (ambiguous — could mean the rule system)
I bought a new English grammar book from the shop.
Use 'grammar book' or 'a grammar of English' to make the book meaning clear.
This grammar are very useful.
This grammar is very useful.
Even though it refers to a book (countable), 'grammar' is singular and takes a singular verb.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Grammar is the broadest term, covering the entire system of word forms and sentence patterns in a language. Syntax is a part of grammar that specifically deals with sentence structure and word order — you study syntax when asking why 'She walks quickly' is correct but 'Walks she quickly' is not. Morphology is another subset that handles the way words change form: for example, adding '-ed' to form the past tense or '-s' for plurals. Usage is a looser concept that includes grammar but also covers word choice and style (e.g. 'fewer' vs. 'less'). Punctuation — marks like commas and periods — is related but separate; it governs written text only, not the language system itself. In everyday conversation, 'grammar' often covers all of these loosely, but linguists draw clear boundaries.

syntax ↗morphology ↗usage ↗punctuation ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • grammar of [language]
  • [language] grammar

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Grammar traces back to the Greek word 'grammatikē' (the art of letters), which came from 'gramma' meaning a letter of the alphabet, ultimately from 'graphein' (to write). It passed into Latin as 'grammatica', then into Old French as 'gramaire', and finally into English. A curious offshoot: the English word 'glamour' began as a Scottish variant of 'grammar' — in medieval times, grammar was linked with scholarship, and scholarship was popularly associated with magic and mysterious knowledge.