Which definition of "grammar"?

MollyB   Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:53 am GMT
Which definition of "grammar" do you prefer?

a) The system of rules by which words are formed and put together to make sentences.
b) Grammar is a summary of the patterns of the language.
c) Other. (Please state.)
Achab   Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:54 am GMT
The first definition may be true when it comes to conlangs such as Esperanto or Novial, but is otherwise nonsense.

For natural languages, the second definition is much more close to the truth.

Wonderful September,

Achab
Abla   Wed Sep 17, 2008 11:12 am GMT
Hi
I perfer grammar is a summary of the patterns of the language.
Guest   Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:12 pm GMT
xxFor natural languages, the second definition is much more close to the truth. xx

Does language only come in sentenced then?
Amabo   Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:03 pm GMT
Grammar:

In any given human language, the system by which sounds and groups of sounds are arranged in order to communicate ideas in speech.
Guest   Sun Sep 21, 2008 2:30 pm GMT
Normative grammar = how people should talk: It is I, Whom did you see?
Descriptive grammar = how people talk: It's me, Who did you see?
Guest   Sun Sep 21, 2008 2:33 pm GMT
Tolerant grammar = both ways are ok.

It's me. It's I.
Whom did you see? Who did you see?
Between you and I. Between you and me.
Jane and I went to the store. Jane and me went to the store.
Me thinks. I think.
If I was you. If I were you.
I've already done it. I did it, already.
You and I. You and me.