Rule – governed nature of language

• Principles – universal features of language in

general
Ex. There are words that have same
pronunciation but different in meaning
• Parameters – the differences in the syntax of a
specific language
Ex. The subject agrees in person and in number
Grammatical rules
Grammatical – acceptable

Ungrammatical – not acceptable rules in English

 Descriptive and prescriptive grammar

Prescriptive – establish and maintain standard of

correctness
Ex. They have see the show.
Descriptive -
grammariansandlinguistshavebeenattemptingtof
ormulatethespeakers’grammarinaset of rules
Ex. I urged that you prepare for the exam.