What Is Grammar?

Grammar has a bit of a reputation, doesn't it? It sounds strict and serious, full of rules that are easy to forget. But really, it's just how words work together to make sense. Once we break it down, it's much less intimidating and a lot more interesting.

So, what is grammar? It's the set of patterns that help children build strong sentences, understand how language works, and express their ideas clearly.

In this article, we'll explore what grammar actually means, the key parts and rules to know, when to start teaching it, and how to make learning it feel fun and rewarding.

What this article covers:

1. The Definition of Grammar
2. Main Parts & Rules of Grammar
3. When Should You Teach Your Child About Grammar?
4. Conclusion

The Definition of Grammar

Put simply, grammar is the system by which words change and combine to form sentences and meaning. It's the structure that underlies language, and while we often describe it as “rules,” it's more accurate to say it's the patterns and conventions a language community uses. These rules apply across all the different writing types.

In educational settings, we talk about grammar as a way to help children understand how language works, so they can write clearly and accurately, not simply follow arbitrary rules.

Main Parts & Rules of Grammar

Now that we know what grammar is, let's look at what it's actually made of. Grammar has a few key parts and rules that work together to help children write and speak clearly, and understanding them is the first step to mastering language:

1. Parts of Speech

One of the foundational parts of grammar is understanding word classes: nouns, verbs, adjectives, and the rest. Many grammar systems list eight parts of speech: nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.

For example: a noun names a person, place, thing, or idea; a verb expresses action or state. When children understand that each word has a “job” in a sentence, they begin to see how sentences are built.

Once they recognize that pattern, you can build up confidence with them: “How many nouns can you spot in this sentence? What's the verb doing?”

2. Sentence Structure (Syntax)

Beyond individual words, grammar deals with how words combine into phrases, clauses, and sentences. The field of syntax covers how sentences are formed and how the parts relate to each other.

For young learners, this might look like: subject + verb + object (for example, “The cat chased the ball”). When children find the pattern, they become less dependent on memorizing sentences and more able to create their own.

You can help by modeling sentences: ask “Who did what?” and then invite them to change one word and see what happens.

3. Morphology & Word-Form Changes

Grammar also involves how words change form depending on tense, number, or possession. Morphology focuses on how words are built up and altered.

In the classroom, you might point out that “dog” becomes “dogs” when there's more than one, or “run” becomes “ran” in the past. At this stage, you're helping children notice regular and irregular patterns—so they understand that grammar isn't random.

4. Punctuation, Capitalization & Usage

While not always labeled strictly as “grammar” in academic linguistics, in most school-based grammar teaching, punctuation and capitalization are included. The reason? Because they affect how meaning is conveyed. For example, “Let's eat, Grandma” versus “Let's eat Grandma.”

When you teach punctuation alongside grammar, children see how small marks can completely change meaning. That's powerful knowledge, and it builds confidence in writing.

5. Rules vs. Patterns (Prescriptive & Descriptive)

It's helpful for us as educators to recognize that grammar falls into two broad approaches: descriptive grammar (how language is used) and prescriptive grammar (how language should be used).

When teaching children, we focus on practical usage—what works to communicate effectively. That means modeling good patterns (for example, subject-verb agreement: “She runs”) rather than overwhelming them with every exception. As they grow, they can explore why those exceptions exist.

When Should You Teach Your Child About Grammar?

The short answer: start as soon as they begin forming simple sentences, but keep it light and supportive. Grammar teaching doesn't need to wait for “formal lessons”. It can happen naturally alongside reading, writing, and speaking.

When children reach about ages 6 to 8, they're usually ready for more structured grammar lessons that introduce rules and practice.

At that stage, grammar worksheets can make learning fun and engaging. We recommend using our First Grade English Gargantuan Workbook to help children build a strong foundation in grammar through playful, illustrated activities.

In more detail:

• Early primary years: Focus on spoken sentences, reading books aloud, and noticing words and simple sentence patterns. No heavy grammar drills needed here.
  
• When they begin writing: Once children can write short sentences (typically ages 7–9), introduce parts of speech and sentence structure explicitly. Use games, examples, and visuals rather than abstract explanations.
  
• As they progress: In upper primary or early secondary years, gradually include usage, punctuation, and more complex sentence constructions.
  

The key is keeping grammar connected to real reading and writing. When children see grammar's purpose, they're more likely to engage. Grammar taught in isolation rarely sticks, but grammar taught in the context of writing ideas builds skill and confidence.

Conclusion

Grammar might sound like a big topic, but once it's broken into simple parts, it becomes something children can enjoy and understand.

It's the structure behind clear communication, the key to confident writing, and a skill that grows stronger with practice. By learning what grammar is, exploring its main rules, and knowing when to start teaching it, parents and teachers can help children feel capable and proud of their progress.

With the right approach, grammar lessons can be playful, meaningful, and full of “aha” moments. To make learning even easier, explore the fun, research-based resources available from Mrs Wordsmith and turn grammar into an adventure in learning.