The Richness of Grammar

Grammar is a real phenomenon. It is the way language works. It is the organisational  system in language that lets us put words together to say something that means something. It is more than ‘rules’ and definitions.

We use it unconsciously, but we can learn to recognise the patterns.

Am I talking about ‘traditional grammar’ or ‘syntax’ or ‘functional grammar’? These are all different ways of talking about the same actual phenomenon, each with a different emphasis. To me it makes sense to see both syntactic structure and meaning (function) together. This allows a simple starting place that helps learners see  for themselves how the grammar works. We can begin with the essential knowledge that underpins the different approaches. Then we can add as much more detail as we like…

Language is an amazing phenomenon, and grammar is at its heart. There is a system to it. It creates so much possibility and flexibility in language, for speakers and writers to take advantage of – conventionally or creatively! Understanding how this works is to me much more interesting than the unhappy view so many have of grammar.