Grammar or Grammer: Which is the Correct Spelling?

Short answer by GrammarGramps: “Grammar” is the correct spelling. “Grammer” is incorrect and is not a recognized word in any variety of English: not British, not American, not Australian. The correct version always ends in “-ar,” not “-er.” A useful way to remember this: drop the “G” and you’re left with “-rammar,” which splits into two mirrored halves: “-ram” and “-mar.” There’s no “e” in sight.

Grammar and spelling are also not the same thing. Spelling is about forming words correctly, while grammar is about combining them correctly in a sentence.

Introduction to “Grammar” vs “Grammer”

It is common for English learners, especially ESL students, to get a tad confused regarding the spelling of the word grammar. Some people may think that this is a British English/American English type of difference, where grammar is the American version and grammer is the British version. However, this is incorrect.

There is only one correct spelling for this word. In this post, we’re going to tell you all about it.

Is the Correct Spelling “Grammar” or “Grammer”?

“Grammar” is correct. “Grammer” is incorrect. It is not a recognized word. It could be an obscure name for a place or person.

Both vowels in the word are “a.” There is no “e.”

Here are a few example sentences to help you understand the correct usage.

Is “Grammer” the Correct Spelling in British English, Australian English, or Anywhere Else?

No. “Grammer” is not the correct spelling in any variety of English. Not in British English, not in Australian English, not in American English, and not anywhere else.

This is a common misconception. People sometimes assume that spelling differences between regional varieties of English, like “colour” vs “color” or “realise” vs “realize,” might extend to the word “grammar” as well. They don’t.

“Grammar” is the universally accepted and only correct spelling across all English-speaking regions.

Why Do People Misspell This Word?

People can misspell the word “grammar” as “grammer” because many words in English end in “-er” and have the same sound as “-ar.”

For instance, the word “hammer” ends in “-er,” but is pronounced the same way as “-ar.” The same goes for words like “tanner,” “spanner,” etc.

However, it’s important to understand that words have their own spellings that aren’t always derived from the norm or from the way they are pronounced. You have to make an effort to remember the correct spelling.

Common Misspellings of the Word “Grammar”

People misspell “grammar” in more ways than just “grammer.” Here is a quick reference table of common misspellings, so you know what to avoid.

If you typed any of the above into a search engine and landed here, now you know. It’s always grammar, ending in -ar, never -er, -or, or anything else.

Is Grammar the Same as Spelling?

No, grammar and spelling are not the same thing, though they are both part of writing correctly.

Spelling refers to the correct arrangement of letters to form a word. Grammar refers to the rules that govern how words are combined to form sentences.

Here is a simple example:

• She go to school every day. This is correctly spelled, but grammatically wrong.
• She goes to school every day. This is correctly spelled and grammatically correct.

Think of it this way: spelling gets you the right word, and grammar puts that word in the right place. It’s a bit like LEGO: you need to make sure you have the right piece but also that it goes into the right place. If you discard any of these, you won’t be able to get anywhere.

Both matter, but they are different from one another. A spell checker catches spelling errors. A grammar checker catches structural ones. The two tools exist separately for a reason.

How Can I Memorize the Correct Spelling of “Grammar?”

You can memorize the correct spelling of “grammar” using a mnemonic. Here, I’ll help you.

So, get rid of the “G.”

We’re left with “-rammar.”

Remember, if you split this in half, you get mirrored pieces: “-ram” and “-mar.”

Whenever you’re feeling confused, do this quick exercise. Take the “G” and chuck it out.  Then, remember that the remaining six letters are a perfect mirror of each other. “-ram” and then reversed “-mar.”

This way, the question of using “e” never arises.

Word Profile: Grammar

Here is a word profile for the word “grammar.” It contains the right spelling, pronunciation, and meaning. You won’t ever have trouble with this word if you take a minute to study the word profile a few times.

Keep Learning with GrammarGramps!

Now that you’re done with this one, head over to some other useful resources on English grammar on our website.

• Glossary of Grammar Terms
• What is Grammar? Detailed Guide