grammar

/ˈɡræmə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡræmər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgra-mər/ (ame, mw)

grammar — noun

  • grammarsingular
  • grammarsplural

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

1.名詞B1
釋義

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

例句

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)

同義詞
  • 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

文法句型

grammar of [language]

[language] grammar

用法筆記

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.'

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B2
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞

文法句型

a grammar

a grammar of [language]

grammars

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.