Most grammar is descriptive. It describes how people use words.
There are some aspects of grammar that seem intuitive. There is no need to be taught the word order for adjectives.
a huge red bomber ~*a red huge bomber
a long narrow road ~*a narrow long road
the lovely little black Japanese box ~*the Japanese black little lovely box
Although, poets and song writers will sometimes use an unusual word order to draw attention to the words that they are using or even technical writers.
However, there are other aspects of grammar where there is widespread uncertainty and confusion about the best way to write something. A lesson in grammar is very helpful in these cases.
For example:
23. The Truth about Apostrophes. English Grammar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-ODpxSk36w
James's shoes
The Simpsons
The Simpsons' House
The Jones
The Joneses
The Jones House
The Joneses' House
The Williamses' House
I know there is British English and American English spelling and pronunciation.
But what about grammar?
Colloquial scottish speech patterns are ungrammatial.
Some how 'Williamses' ' does not look right.
To tell you the truth, one of the reasons I have never liked English as an academic subject is that the teacher always seemed to have the last word, and there was no greater authority - like reality.
Teacher: The earth is flat.
Sarah Palin: The earth was created in seven days.
There are some aspects of grammar that seem intuitive. There is no need to be taught the word order for adjectives.
a huge red bomber ~*a red huge bomber
a long narrow road ~*a narrow long road
the lovely little black Japanese box ~*the Japanese black little lovely box
Although, poets and song writers will sometimes use an unusual word order to draw attention to the words that they are using or even technical writers.
However, there are other aspects of grammar where there is widespread uncertainty and confusion about the best way to write something. A lesson in grammar is very helpful in these cases.
For example:
23. The Truth about Apostrophes. English Grammar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-ODpxSk36w
James's shoes
The Simpsons
The Simpsons' House
The Jones
The Joneses
The Jones House
The Joneses' House
The Williamses' House
I know there is British English and American English spelling and pronunciation.
But what about grammar?
Colloquial scottish speech patterns are ungrammatial.
Some how 'Williamses' ' does not look right.
To tell you the truth, one of the reasons I have never liked English as an academic subject is that the teacher always seemed to have the last word, and there was no greater authority - like reality.
Teacher: The earth is flat.
Sarah Palin: The earth was created in seven days.