# grammar

/ˈɡɹæmɝ/ (US) · /ɡɹˈæmɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grammar
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. language rules

noun · CEFR A2

the rules of a language that show how to combine words into correct sentences.

For teachers: the structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in a natural language.

- If you want to speak clearly, you need to learn the basic grammar of the language.
- Linguistic researchers often debate whether certain patterns of speech represent a shift in standard grammar or merely a regional dialect.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the abstract system of rules or a person's proficiency.

### 2. a textbook

noun · CEFR B1

a book that explains the rules of a language.

For teachers: a written manual or textbook describing the grammatical system of a specific language.

- I bought a Spanish grammar to help me with my evening classes.
- The library holds an extensive collection of Latin grammars dating back to the sixteenth century.

Usage: Countable in this sense; it can be used with 'a' or in the plural.

### 3. basic principles

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

the basic principles or rules of a specific subject or skill.

For teachers: the fundamental principles or elements of an art, science, or field of study.

- The student spent the first month learning the grammar of architectural design.
- Before one can innovate in cinematography, one must first master the visual grammar of light and shadow.

### 4. grammar school

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Informal

a type of school in the UK for students who pass a special exam.

For teachers: a state-funded secondary school in the United Kingdom that selects pupils on the basis of academic ability.

- She was very proud when her son got a place at the local grammar.
- The debate over whether grammar schools promote social mobility or entrench class privilege remains a central issue in British educational policy.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun or as a modifier in this context.

## Examples

- We are learning English grammar in class today.
- The teacher corrected my essay because I made several mistakes with my grammar and spelling.
- While native speakers acquire the grammar of their mother tongue intuitively, adult learners often rely on explicit instruction to master complex syntactic structures.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.