Grammar+and+Usage+Introduction

4.1 Grammar and Usage Introduction

Grammar refers to how words in sentences relate to one another so that they clearly express an idea. An idea is expressed on the macro level through sentence structure; on a micro level, an idea is expressed through specific roles for each part of speech. To analyze sentence structure, one must understand how a subject relates to its predicate; to analyze specific roles for each part of speech, one must understand how each part relates to other words within the sentence.

The rules of grammar are extensive, but they do not cover every possibility of the language. Sometimes, language as it is actually used breaks accepted grammar rules. Likewise, language can be technically correct, while conveying a meaning either different than intended or generally unacceptable to speakers of the language. In these situations, the editor uses accepted conventions of usage to evaluate whether or not the words need to be changed (Rude 152; Chicago Manual of Style 5.1). Type in the content of your page here.