Key takeaways:
- Prescriptive grammar is an approach to grammar that defines rules for how a language should be used.
- A prescriptivist is someone who believes language should follow established rules and standards of correctness.
- Examples of prescriptive grammar include rules such as following correct verb-tense agreement, properly using commas and periods, and so on.
Introduction to Prescriptive Grammar by GrammarGramps
Prescriptive grammar is one of the five main types of grammar. In this guide, GrammarGramps will explain what prescriptive grammar is, give some examples, and provide a detailed elaboration.
Briefly put, prescriptive grammar has to do with rules. It has to do with what is right and wrong in the usage of a language. A person who follows and applies prescriptive grammar, for instance, would raise issues with the incorrect usage of tenses, punctuation, and so forth.
Let’s get started with a proper definition before we move on to examples and some of the other stuff.
What is Prescriptive Grammar?
Prescriptive grammar is the branch of grammar that deals with clearly defining and enforcing grammatical rules for when people speak and write.
It is the type of grammar that is responsible for ensuring that the original rules and method of using a language are not altered.
Many people dislike the idea of prescriptive grammar, as they deem it to be “snobby.” On the contrary, however, prescriptive grammar is necessary and essential, and is far from something that should be disliked. It is the edifice on which a language rests throughout its existence in order to retain its distinction.
Without prescriptive grammar, the language can lose form, melting with other incoherent and baseless ones due to speakers and writers who don’t like the idea of following rules.
What is a Prescriptivist?
A prescriptivist is a person who follows and enforces the rules of prescriptive grammar.
While that is the definition, in my opinion, the word “prescriptivist” should not be used or normalized, as it gives a negative connotation to educated people who advise following rules when speaking and writing a language.
Given the definition of the word, a “prescriptivist” is what you could call your teacher or even your parents when they are guiding you on how to properly speak and write English.
These individuals belong to a class that must necessarily be respected, especially when they are engaging in teaching you.
Examples of Prescriptive Grammar Rules
Here are some of the most well-known rules of prescriptive grammar, along with examples of correct and incorrect usage.
| Rule | Incorrect | Correct |
| Use “fewer” for countable things, “less” for uncountable | There are less people here today. | There are fewer people here today. |
| Use “whom” when referring to the object of a verb | Who did you give it to? | Whom did you give it to? |
| “I couldn’t care less” not “I could care less” | I could care less about this. | I couldn’t care less about this. |
| Do not use double negatives | I don’t know nothing about it. | I don’t know anything about it. |
| Subject and verb must agree in number | The group of students are ready. | The group of students is ready. |
| Use “I” not “me” as the subject | Me and Jack went to the farm. | Jack and I went to the farm. |
| Apostrophes indicate possession, not plurals | The cat’s are sleeping. | The cats are sleeping. |
| “Who” refers to people, “that” refers to things | The man that called was polite. | The man who called was polite. |
A few of these rules require a bit of elaboration. Let’s explain them in a bit more detail.
- “Fewer” vs “Less”
This is one of the most commonly broken rules in everyday English. The distinction is simple: use “fewer” when referring to things you can count individually, and “less” when referring to things measured as a whole. “Fewer mistakes” is correct. “Less sugar” is correct. “Less mistakes” is not.
- “I couldn’t care less”
This one is particularly interesting because the incorrect version has become so widespread that many people don’t realize it’s wrong. If you could care less, it means you still care to some degree. The intended meaning is that you care so little that caring any less would be impossible. The correct phrase is “I couldn’t care less.”
- “Who” vs “That”
When referring to people, “who” is always the correct choice. “That” is reserved for objects and things. Saying “the teacher that helped me” is technically incorrect under prescriptive grammar. “The teacher who helped me” is the right form.
Prescriptive Grammar vs Descriptive Grammar
Prescriptive grammar and descriptive grammar are often positioned as opposites, but that is not entirely accurate. They are better understood as two different lenses through which language can be examined.
Prescriptive grammar concerns itself with how language should be used. It establishes rules, enforces standards, and draws a distinction between correct and incorrect usage. It is the grammar of textbooks, style guides, and formal writing.
Descriptive grammar, on the other hand, concerns itself with how language is actually used by real speakers and writers. It does not judge usage as right or wrong. It observes, documents, and analyzes. A descriptive grammarian would note that millions of people say “I could care less” and treat that as a linguistic data point, not an error.
| Prescriptive Grammar | Descriptive Grammar | |
| Goal | Establish and enforce rules | Observe and document usage |
| Stance on errors | Errors exist and should be corrected | No usage is inherently wrong |
| Based on | Established standards and authority | Actual speech and writing patterns |
| Used in | Formal writing, education, style guides | Linguistics, language research |
| View of language change | Cautious, protective of existing rules | Accepting, treats change as natural |
| Example | “Fewer” must be used for countable nouns | Many speakers use “less” for both, which is documented |
Looking to Learn More About Grammar and Its Types?
If you want to learn more about grammar and what types it is divided into, I recommend checking out our detailed guide on What is Grammar?
It has a lot of information about grammar, including grade-level definitions, types, history, common rules, and so forth.
Related Resources That You Should Check Out
Be sure to read the detailed guides on the parts of speech to get an idea of what elements are typically included in the rules enforced by prescriptive grammar.
- What is an Adjective?
- What is a Noun?
- What is a Verb?
- What is an Adverb?
- What is a Pronoun?
- What is a Preposition?
Conclusion – Wrapping Up
Prescriptive grammar isn’t something bad. The poor thing’s job is to make sure everyone follows the rules.
Just as people don’t like the librarian, the police, and the mods on online platforms, they also don’t like prescriptive grammar.
The rules that you learn here on GrammarGramps are instances of prescriptive grammar, such as the ones related to adjectives, nouns, verbs, and so on.
