descriptive grammar
- noun
- /dɪˈskrɪptɪv ˈɡræmər/
- Specialized
:
gramática descriptiva
- Moreover, they can introduce and distinguish between prescriptive and descriptive grammar, implicit and explicit knowledge, form and function, and register variation (i.e., formal and informal contexts).
Examples
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The study of descriptive grammar helps linguists understand how language is used in real-life situations.
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Many teachers incorporate descriptive grammar into their lessons to show students actual language use.
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In her research, she focused on descriptive grammar, analyzing how speakers use language informally.
Antonyms
- Specialized
A set of rules saying how people should use a language rather than how they actually speak
How Prescriptive
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a grammar based on objective analysis of actual language use' is compositionally derived from 'descriptive' (describing or documenting) + 'grammar' (the system/rules of a language). This is a straightforward, non-idiomatic combination that a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer, and the same logic exists in many other languages.
Etymology
Descriptive grammar comes from descriptive, meaning 'to describe how something is', and grammar, 'the rules of a language'. Think of a careful observer who writes down how people really speak instead of telling them how to speak, so Descriptive grammar means 'a grammar that records how people actually use a language'.
