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Originally Posted by Casiopea In addition,
[1] Descriptive grammar: a grammar that "describes" how language is used by its speakers.
For example,I am older than her.
Explanation: Subject pronouns (she, he, it, and so on) are paired with a verb, whereas object pronouns (her, him, it, and so on) are not. Since the phrase "than her" doesn't have a verb we can see or hear, some speakers choose an object pronoun in the context.
[2] Prescriptive grammar: a grammar that "prescibes" how speakers should use the language.
For example, I am older than she (is older).
Explanation: 'than' is a conjunction; it joins two like forms: "I am older" with "she is older", giving "I am older than she is older", but speakers omit the last part "is older" because it's redundant. Nevertheless, according to prescriptive grammar, 'than' functions as a conjunction, so speakers should use "she" in that context. |
Are you a descriptivist?
Are you for descriptive grammar or prescriptive grammar? Which is your preference?
If neither one is your preference, do you give equal weight to both points of view when speaking with students about usage issues such as the one you provided as an example?
Do you ever tell students it's okay to use the descriptive model if they want to? I suppose it would depend on which particular usage issue one is speaking of. Everyone has their own preferences, don't they?
