Here are some key characteristics of prescriptive grammarians:
* Focus on rules: They emphasize following established rules and avoiding "errors" or "mistakes."
* Emphasis on correctness: They prioritize language usage that conforms to their perceived standards of "good" or "proper" language.
* Often traditionalist: They tend to value older forms of language and may resist changes in usage.
* Can be judgmental: They may criticize language use that deviates from their prescribed norms.
Examples of prescriptive grammatical rules:
* "Never end a sentence with a preposition."
* "Don't use 'I' before 'me.'"
* "Use the singular 'they' only for indefinite pronouns."
Contrast with Descriptive Grammarians:
Descriptive grammarians, on the other hand, focus on how language is actually used. They observe and analyze language use in real-world situations, without judgment or prescription. They aim to understand the patterns and rules of language as it is spoken and written, regardless of whether it aligns with traditional norms.
In summary:
* Prescriptive grammarians are rule-makers, focusing on how language *should* be used.
* Descriptive grammarians are rule-finders, focusing on how language *is* used.
It's important to note that the distinction between prescriptive and descriptive grammar is not always clear-cut. Many grammarians may hold both prescriptive and descriptive perspectives, depending on the context.