Prescriptive grammar and Descriptive grammar

[zoobinshid]

Hello everyone,
Would you please tell me the difference between these two kind of grammer?I read their definitions somewhere but still I don`t know what is the exact difference between them.

1)Prescriptive grammar.
2)Descriptive grammar.

Thanks in advance,

[yas61]

One common way to divide the different types of English grammars available is to label them prescriptive or descriptive, though a grammar may contain elements of both. We would first describe the terms “prescriptive and descriptive”.

- DESCRIPTIVE GRAMMAR:- A descriptive grammar looks at the way a language is actually used by its speakers and then attempts to analyse it and formulate rules about the structure. Descriptive grammar does not deal with what is good or bad language use; forms and structures that might not be used by speakers of Standard English would be regarded as valid and included. It is a grammar based on the way a language actually is and not how some think it should be.
- PRESCRIPTIVE GRAMMAR:- A prescriptive grammar lays out rules about the structure of a language. Unlike a descriptive grammar it deals with what the grammarian believes to be right and wrong, good or bad language use; not following the rules will generate incorrect language. Both types of grammar have their supporters and their detractors, which in all probability suggests that both have their strengths and weaknesses. Writers were concerned to make rules about how people ought to speak and write, in conformity with some standard they held dear. They were not concerned with ascertaining first how people actually did speak and write.

[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.

[Casiopea]

Welcome, yas61.

[Steven D]

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?

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by X Mode

Are you a descriptivist?

Is that the only choice?

Originally Posted by X Mode

Are you for descriptive grammar or prescriptive grammar? Which is your preference?

Comparisons are odious; Both are useful.

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?

Yes.

Do you ever tell students it's okay to use the descriptive model if they want to?

When it comes to structures that don't fit the prescriptivist model, which is usually the topic of most posts, what I try to do is empower students; I give them enough information in a form that's easily digestible, so they can make an informative decision/choice on their own. Knowledge is power.

Everyone has their own preferences, don't they?

Yes, they do. And if you're a language provider, preference tends to stem from educational philosophy.

Why all the questions?

[Steven D]

Quote:
Originally Posted by X Mode
Are you a descriptivist?

Is that the only choice?

Yes.


And why all the questions?

I'm curious what some people might mean when they call themselves descriptivists. I recall you once said you were in another post.

I would, and I have, told students that there are certain prescriptive viewpoints that are just entirely out-to-lunch. Fortunately, these "disputed" areas of English usage don't necessarily need a lot of attention. There may or may not be practical value in giving such issues attention. It depends.

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by X Mode

Yes. And why all the questions?
I'm curious what some people might mean when they call themselves descriptivists. I recall you once said you were in another post.

We can discuss that, sure, but not here. My preferences are not the topic of this thread. Why not send me an email or a private message?

Originally Posted by X Mode

I would, and I have, told students that there are certain prescriptive viewpoints that are just entirely out-to-lunch. Fortunately, these "disputed" areas of English usage don't necessarily need a lot of attention. There may or may not be practical value in giving such issues attention. It depends.

This sounds like a great topic, X Mode. I'd be interested in discussing that with you, especially getting a look-see at the 'disputed areas'. Why not, say, post it under General Language Discussion? I'm sure there are a great deal of readers out there who'd like to join in. At present, I'm not sure how they'd find it. It's buried in another topic.