Descriptive Grammar

 A descriptive grammar is a set of rules about language based on how it is actually used.
 In a descriptive grammar there is no right or wrong language.
 For instance, a linguist describing English might formulate rules such as these:

*Some English speakers end a sentence with a preposition (Who do you want to speak to?)

*Some English speakers use double negatives for negation (I don't have nothing.)

*Adjectives precede the nouns they modify (red book, nice guy)

*To form the plural of a noun, add -s (1 room, 2 rooms; 1 book, 2 books)

*The vowel sound in the word suit is produced with rounded lips.

Prescriptive Grammar

 A set of rules and examples dealing with the syntax and word structures of a language.
 It is an aid to the learning of that language.
 Prescriptive grammar refers to the structure of a language as certain people think it should be
used.

Example:
*The subject of a sentence must agree with the verb (The instructions are clear NOT The
instructions is clear.)

*Use much for count nouns. Use many for non-count nouns (We don't have much coffee AND
We don't have many cups of coffee.)

*Capitalize the first letter of a sentence (The television is broken. It needs to be fixed.)

*Use subject pronouns after the verb be (It was I who called you NOT It was me who called
you.)

*Use the definite article the before names of rivers and geographical areas but not before the
names of lakes or continents (the Nile, the Middle East AND Lake Tahoe, Asia)
Advantages and Disadvantages (Descriptive)

Advantages:

 Descriptive grammar helps learners to speak and write like a native speaker.
 It reduces the confusion of learners when they speak with a native speaker but it is not
appropriate for beginner learners because the rules are not precise.

Disadvantages:

 It is difficult for teachers to decide which dialect, which usage of a language to teach.
 If the teacher chooses the most used dialect of the target language, students will have
difficulty in communicating with a native speaker from a different part of the country.

Advantages and Disadvantages (Prescriptive)

Advantages

 If the learners know prescriptive grammar rules, it will be easier for them to write in the target
language.
 Prescriptive grammar produces better writers.


Disadvantages

• If the prescriptive grammar is taught, learners will be confused when they talk with a native speaker.
They will realize that natives do not use the rules in the grammar books.

• People who learn prescriptive grammar cannot be able to speak or write like a native speaker because
they only uses standard grammar books and they do not know how the native speakers use the
language.

•Feel bored of learning grammar rules all the time, because prescriptive grammar mostly deals with
rules.