Descriptive vs Prescriptive Grammar

Avoid cliches (phrase which have been used too much and no longer interesting).

Descriptive or prescriptive grammar?

• Descriptive

• Prescriptive

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.5

Omit contractions.

• Descriptive

• Prescriptive

Tags

CCSS.L.2.2C

Verbs should agree with their subjects.

• Descriptive

• Prescriptive

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F

Do not use double negatives (e.g. 'The library didn't have no books.')

• Descriptive

• Prescriptive

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.1

Do not start a sentence with 'because'.

• Descriptive

• Prescriptive

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1F

Do not split infinitives (e.g. Mya decided to quickly run to the media center).

• Descriptive

• Prescriptive

Tags

CCSS.L.8.1A

Do not use a comma to split independent clauses. (e.g. This year's writing festival is quickly approaching, our group is entering one of the contests.)

• Descriptive

• Prescriptive

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Do not use 'me' as a subject.

• Descriptive

• Prescriptive

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.1

Use active voice, not passive.

• Descriptive

• Prescriptive

Tags

CCSS.L.2.1F

CCSS.L.8.1B

CCSS.L.8.1D

CCSS.L.8.3A

In a verbal sentence, a modal should be followed by a base form verb (verb 1).

• Descriptive

• Prescriptive

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B