ungrammatical
adjective
un·gram·mat·i·cal
ˌən-grə-ˈma-ti-kəl 
: not following rules of grammar
an ungrammatical sentence
In another of his ipse dixit pronouncements, Webster condemned the adverbial use of adjectives in phrases like extreme cold, exceeding fine, and indifferent well as "very improper and ungrammatical."—
Edward Finegan
Edward FineganSurprisingly, even though it sounds ungrammatical, can't seem is accepted as a standard idiom that is no less awkward than saying "seems to be unable," …—HarperCollins Publishers
HarperCollins PublishersIdioms are forms of expression approved by usage, but often ungrammatical and illogical.—Simeon Potter
Simeon PotterExamples of ungrammatical in a Sentence
the résumé and its ungrammatical cover letter were summarily thrown in the trash
Recent Examples on the Web
And in general, the A.I. bots were useful for sharpening prose and cleaning up clunky, ungrammatical sentences.
—Brian X. Chen, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2023
That could be useful for conversations where telegraphic, ungrammatical messages would come off as impolite.
—Tom Simonite, Wired, 18 Oct. 2020
But to many Americans, the pronouns are ungrammatical and confusing.
—Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2019
The ungrammatical use of ellipses to convey a pause or . . .
—Lynda Robinson, Washington Post, 15 May 2018
None of that here in the pretentious, inauthentic speech of an ungrammatical kid.
—Toby Zinman, Philly.com, 11 June 2018
Yes, its ungrammatical slogan does not exactly roll off the tongue.
—Mark Lisanti, Vanities, 11 May 2018
That's when Zaydel fired back in ungrammatical English.
—Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press, 17 Oct. 2017
The Heart of Texas Facebook page is full of stilted, ungrammatical English.
—Tim Lister and Clare Sebastian, CNN, 5 Oct. 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Brian X. Chen, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2023
That could be useful for conversations where telegraphic, ungrammatical messages would come off as impolite.
—Tom Simonite, Wired, 18 Oct. 2020
But to many Americans, the pronouns are ungrammatical and confusing.
—Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2019
The ungrammatical use of ellipses to convey a pause or . . .
—Lynda Robinson, Washington Post, 15 May 2018
None of that here in the pretentious, inauthentic speech of an ungrammatical kid.
—Toby Zinman, Philly.com, 11 June 2018
Yes, its ungrammatical slogan does not exactly roll off the tongue.
—Mark Lisanti, Vanities, 11 May 2018
That's when Zaydel fired back in ungrammatical English.
—Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press, 17 Oct. 2017
The Heart of Texas Facebook page is full of stilted, ungrammatical English.
—Tim Lister and Clare Sebastian, CNN, 5 Oct. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Ungrammatical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ungrammatical. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share