English Grammar

English Grammar denotes the functions of the constituents of the English language. As a branch of study, English Grammar studies the whole system of English language.

The system of English language has several constituents, such as sounds represented by English alphabets, which are then arranged to form syllables. Syllables are joined together to form words. From root words, other words are derived. Words are also joined to form compound words. Words are arranged to form phrases as distinct expressions. Phrases are then used to form sentences, and at times several small sentences are used to form a bigger sentence. We observe that every constituent - alphabet, syllable, word, phrase, and sentence - has a distinct function in the system of the English language.

English grammar is thus essentially the study of the functions of various constituents of the English language, which includes elementary sounds represented by alphabets, syllables, words, phrases, and sentences, which determines the structure of the sentences or its syntax.

English phonology is naturally the part of the English grammar, since it studies how English language systematically organise its phonemes, or its constituent parts of signs. Then comes the study of the structure and content of its word form, that is technically called morphology. It also includes inflections of words. Meaning is an important part, which is determined how words get their meanings and how meaning of a complex expression depends on the functions of the constituent parts of the English language. The branch of study of meanings is called semantics.

The grammatical functions in English language, in practice, are a set of actual or presumed notions about correct usage of the language.

Traditionally, English grammar is divided in four parts - orthography, etymology, syntax, and prosody.

Orthography covers the functions of the smallest units of sound, also called elementary sounds, which the human voice is capable of producing by articulation; the symbols by which the elementary sounds are represented, which we call letters or alphabets; the syllables formed by the alphabets; separate words; formation of compound words; spellings; and the use of small and capital letters.

Etymology covers the Parts of Speech, a collective name for the nine classes of words - Article, Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Verb, Adverb, Preposition, Conjunction, and Interjection. A words is classified according to its function in a sentence. Since same word can function differently in different sentences, for example, at one place it may be noun and other place it may be a verb, the function is the sole basis of classification of words. Nouns have their Number, Person, Gender, and Case determining their function in a sentence. Verbs have their Tense, Voice, Mood, Participle, and Gerund.

Syntax covers the relations of words in reference to other words, or their dependence according to the sense; agreements of words in their similarity in person, number, gender, case, mood, tense, or form; governments or power of words over another words to cause them to assume some particular modification; and arrangements of words in their collocation, or relative position, in a sentence.

Prosody covers punctuation, figures of speech, patterns of rhythm and sound, and the patterns of stress and intonation.

Structure of Sentences is also included as part of grammar. It includes Phrases, Clauses, Sentences, Analysis of Sentences, Transformation of Sentences, Synthesis of Sentences, Sequence of Tenses, and Narration.

Idioms and Vocabulary including formation of words are also included separately in grammar books.

Learning English Grammar is considered important for reading, writing, and speaking English correctly. Nevertheless, usage of English language, as it is spoken and written, should be carefully taken into consideration, for improving one's ability of speaking and writing correct and good English.