grammar

noun

gram·​mar ˈgra-mər How to pronounce grammar (audio)
1
a
: the study of the classes of words, their inflections (see inflection sense 2), and their functions and relations in the sentence
b
: a study of what is to be preferred and what avoided in inflection (see inflection sense 2) and syntax (see syntax sense 1)
2
a
: the characteristic system of inflections (see inflection sense 2) and syntax of a language
b
: a system of rules that defines the grammatical structure of a language
3
a
: a grammar textbook
b
: speech or writing evaluated according to its conformity to grammatical rules
appalled at the bad grammar of college students
4
: the principles or rules of an art, science, or technique
a grammar of the theater
also : a set of such principles or rules
grammarian noun

Examples of grammar in a Sentence

English grammar can be hard to master. comparing English and Japanese grammar comparing the grammars of English and Japanese “Him and I went” is bad grammar. I know some German, but my grammar isn't very good.
Recent Examples on the Web They have been lightly edited for clarity and grammar. Charlotte Observer, 29 Feb. 2024 Reports of typos and grammar errors in final drafts. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024 The simple sentence structure and grammar in the Swedish language contribute to its ease of learning. Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2024 Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language. Destiny Torres, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 Its rules of grammar are held together by invisible selections of what will be conveyed and what will be overlooked. New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024 What insights will future historians be able to glean about the personal lives and the character of our leaders in 50 years based on a few surviving emails written in haste with poor grammar and punctuation? Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2024 Watch out for red flags in their messages, such as poor grammar and spelling, inconsistent stories, vague answers, or requests for money or favors. Kurt Knutsson, Fox News, 20 Oct. 2023 Culture shapes language because what matters to a culture often becomes embedded in its language, sometimes as words and sometimes codified in its grammar. Christine Kenneally, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grammar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gramere, from Anglo-French gramaire, modification of Latin grammatica, from Greek grammatikē, from feminine of grammatikos of letters, from grammat-, gramma — more at gram

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of grammar was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near grammar

Cite this Entry

“Grammar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grammar. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

grammar

noun
gram·​mar ˈgram-ər How to pronounce grammar (audio)
1
: the study of the classes of words, their inflections, and their functions and relations in a language
2
: the facts of language with which grammar deals
3
a
: a grammar textbook
b
: speech or writing evaluated according to its conformity to grammatical rules
"Him and I went" is bad grammar
Etymology

Middle English gramere, from early French gramaire (same meaning), from Latin grammatica (same meaning), derived from Greek gramma "letter, piece of writing," derived from graphein "to write" — related to graffito, -gram, -graph

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