rule of grammar
1
2.5
- noun
- /ruːl əv ˈɡræmər/
:
regla gramatical
- Many students struggle with the rules of grammar when learning a new language.
Examples
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An easy way of showing that children assimilate rules of grammar unconsciously from the moment they begin to speak is the use of the past tense rule.
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It's true that the rules of grammar loosen up to a large extent in poetry; but to say that grammar doesn't matter is asking for trouble.
Academic text (2010) -
It's a simple thing, really, if you know the rules of grammar.
Blog text (17) -
So the rules of grammar and punctuation now need their attention.
Academic text (2007) -
B has mastered some basic rules of grammar.
Blog text (28) -
A writer speaks the language, knows the vocabulary, and tries to honor the rules of grammar and syntax.
Blog text (23) -
The difference and tense shift was so subtle you may not have noticed, especially if you didn't know the rules of grammar.
Blog text (17) -
For example, if a student can generate grammatical sentences in English, then that child knows/understands the rules of grammar in English.
Academic text (1993) -
Adult learners are able to comprehend the rules of grammar with the knowledge from either their first language or other experiences derived from their worldly knowledge.
Academic text (2001) -
As a beginner in writing, understanding the rules of grammar is essential for creating clear sentences.
Synonyms
35
9.9
A basic rule that helps people learn grammar
32
5.4
Rules that tell how to put words into sentences or how to write computer code
1
3.3
A rule about how to make sentences and phrases correctly
A guideline that tells how people use words and sentences
How Strict
1
2.5
344
3.1
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a principle or guideline that determines correct language structure' is directly and transparently composed from 'rule' (a governing principle) + 'of' (possession/relational marker) + 'grammar' (language structure). This possessive/compositional pattern is cross-linguistically common and follows standard English noun-of-noun construction, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Rule of grammar is like a short instruction for language: imagine a game where a rule tells you what to do and grammar is about how words and sentences work. So, a rule of grammar tells you 'how to use words and sentences correctly'.