What is Grammar?

zyc50

Grammar is the organized structure or system of a language.
People sometimes call grammar the \"rules\" of a language; but that is not really correct because not one language has rules. If we use the word \"rules\", it is suggested that somebody produced the rules first and then started speaking the language. But languages did not begin like that. Languages started by people making sounds which evolved into words, phrases and sentences. No commonly-spoken language is fixed. All languages change over time. What we call \"grammar\" is simply a reflection of a language at a particular time. A snapshot of the use of a language, if you will.
Do we need to study grammar to learn a language? The short answer is \"no\". There are a lot of people in the world who speak their own, native language without having studied its grammar. Children, for instance, start to speak before they even know the word \"grammar\". However, if you are serious about learning a foreign language, the long answer is \"yes, grammar can help you to learn a language more quickly and more efficiently.\" It's important to think of grammar as a roadmap. When you understand grammar you can really grasp many things yourself, without having to ask a teacher or look in a book.
May we refer to rules. Sure, as long as you understand that they are not carved in stone ( not changeable). In language there is always room for flexibility but in exams we should be very careful to use newly created words or expressions as acceptable.
Example.
It is not yet on the radar is now (suddenly) taken to mean 'It is still unknown or invisible. Your dictionary, however, will tell you:
Radar
1. A method of detecting distant objects and determining their position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysis of very high frequency radio waves reflected from their surfaces.
2. The equipment used in such detection.
Some people do not believe in rules. Others do swear by them. I think the truth takes centre stage. Do not quote dictionaries as 'absolute' but their entries are never wrong.