Definition of grammar
1a : the study of the classes of words, their inflections (see inflection 3), and their functions and relations in the sentenceb : a study of what is to be preferred and what avoided in inflection (see inflection 3) and syntax (see syntax 1)
2a : the characteristic system of inflections (see inflection 3) and syntax of a languageb : a system of rules that defines the grammatical structure of a language
3a : a grammar textbookb : 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
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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 of grammar from the Web
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Most cities have snow cones, or snowballs, or snoballs; for some reason shaved ice and poor spelling and grammar seem entwined.
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The title is a reference to the spelling, punctuation and grammar errors that pepper the emails, tweets and posts the couple receives.
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Previous reports suggested that Samsung was having trouble teach Bixby English syntax and grammar.
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For parishioners who want their children to hold on to the language of their ancestors, the church opened a language school, during which volunteers teach youngsters grammar and vocabulary.
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The theory: No 20-year-old is this emotionally intelligent and has such a vested interest in grammar.
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This is a downtown, waterfront style, filled with short, gritty sentences and portentous one-line paragraphs, conversational clichés and a genial indifference to grammar and literary decorum.
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Ivanka Trump made a sunny appearance on Fox & Friends today, as President (and amateur Fox News publicist) Donald Trump teased last night on Twitter (his choice of grammar, it was noted, appears to have erased Tiffany from the narrative).
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Tarantino lives in Blackwood and attended Our Lady of Hope grammar school.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'grammar.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of grammar
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
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
GRAMMAR Defined for English Language Learners
grammar
playDefinition of grammar for English Language Learners
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: the set of rules that explain how words are used in a language
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: speech or writing judged by how well it follows the rules of grammar
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: a book that explains the grammar rules of a language
GRAMMAR Defined for Kids
grammar
playDefinition of grammar for Students
1 : the rules of how words are used in a language
2 : speech or writing judged according to the rules of grammar
Learn More about grammar
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See words that rhyme with grammar Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for grammar Spanish Central: Translation of grammar Nglish: Translation of grammar for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of grammar for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about grammar
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