Prescriptive Grammar:
* Focuses on rules: Prescriptive grammar sets down rules about how language *should* be used. Think of it like a style guide.
* Imposes standards: It often aims to preserve "correctness" and maintain a standard form of language.
* Often based on tradition: These rules are often based on historical usage or the perceived "better" way to speak.
* Can be rigid: Prescriptive grammar can be inflexible, sometimes forbidding language patterns that are common in everyday speech.
Descriptive Grammar:
* Observes and describes: Descriptive grammar simply observes how language is actually used by speakers. Think of it like a linguistic anthropologist.
* No judgment on "correctness": Descriptive grammar doesn't judge whether a usage is "right" or "wrong," it simply analyzes how language works.
* Based on real-world data: Descriptive grammar draws its conclusions from real-world examples of language use.
* Shows language variation: It reveals the natural diversity of language, including regional dialects and social variations.
Correct Statements:
1. Prescriptive grammar aims to maintain a standard form of language, while descriptive grammar observes how language is actually used. This is a fundamental difference between the two approaches.
2. Descriptive grammar is more objective than prescriptive grammar. Descriptive grammar is concerned with describing the facts of language use, while prescriptive grammar often reflects social and historical biases.
3. Both prescriptive and descriptive grammar can be useful tools for understanding language. Prescriptive grammar can be helpful for formal writing, while descriptive grammar provides insights into language variation and change.
4. Prescriptive rules often change over time. Language is constantly evolving, so rules that were once considered "correct" might be considered outdated today.
Key Point:
While prescriptive grammar often focuses on what is considered "correct," descriptive grammar provides a more nuanced understanding of how language actually functions in everyday life.