Introduction - 2 | Learn English Grammar

[Sidenote: The material of grammar]

The province of English grammar is, rightly considered, wider than is

indicated by any one of the above definitions; and the student ought

to have a clear idea of the ground to be covered.

[Sidenote: Few inflections]

It must be admitted that the language has very few inflections at

present, as compared with Latin or Greek; so that a small grammar will

hold them all.

[Sidenote: Making rules is risky]

It is also evident, to those who have studied the language

historically, that it is very hazardous to make rules in grammar: what

is at present regarded as correct may not be so twenty years from now,

even if our rules are founded on the keenest scrutiny of the

"standard" writers of our time. Usage is varied as our way of thinking

changes.

In Chaucer's time two or three negatives were used to

strengthen a negation; as,

"Ther nas no man nowher so vertuous"

(There never was no man nowhere so virtuous).

And Shakespeare used good English when he said more elder ("Merchant of Venice")

andmost unkindest ("Julius Cæsar"); but this is bad English now.

If, however, we have tabulated the inflections of the language, and

stated what syntax is the most used in certain troublesome places,

there is still much for the grammarian to do.

[Sidenote: A broader view]

Surely our noble language, with its enormous vocabulary, its peculiar

and abundant idioms, its numerous periphrastic forms to express every

possible shade of meaning, is worthy of serious study, apart from the

mere memorizing of inflections and formulation of rules.

[Sidenote: Mental training. An æsthetic benefit]

Grammar is eminently a means of mental training; and while it will

train the student in subtle and acute reasoning, it will at the same

time, if rightly presented, lay the foundation of a keen observation

and a correct literary taste. The continued contact with the highest

thoughts of the best minds will create a thirst for the "well of

English undefiled."

[Sidenote: What grammar is]

Coming back, then, from the question, What ground should grammar

cover? we come to answer the question, What should grammar teach?

and we give as an answer the definition,--

English grammar is the science which treats of the nature of words,

their forms, and their uses and relations in the sentence.

[Sidenote: The work it will cover]

This will take in the usual divisions, "The Parts of Speech" (with

their inflections), "Analysis," and "Syntax." It will also require a

discussion of any points that will clear up difficulties, assist the

classification of kindred expressions, or draw the attention of the

student to everyday idioms and phrases, and thus incite his

observation.

[Sidenote: Authority as a basis]

A few words here as to the authority upon which grammar rests.

[Sidenote: Literary English]

The statements given will be substantiated by quotations from the

leading or "standard" literature of modern times; that is, from the

eighteenth century on. This literary English is considered the

foundation on which grammar must rest.

[Sidenote: Spoken English]

Here and there also will be quoted words and phrases from spoken or

colloquial English, by which is meant the free, unstudied

expressions of ordinary conversation and communication among

intelligent people.

These quotations will often throw light on obscure constructions,

since they preserve turns of expressions that have long since perished

from the literary or standard English.

[Sidenote: Vulgar English]

Occasionally, too, reference will be made to vulgar English, the

speech of the uneducated and ignorant, which will serve to illustrate

points of syntax once correct, or standard, but now undoubtedly bad

grammar.


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Introduction - 1