proper grammar
Rules of syntax
Proper grammar refers to language use that follows established rules of syntax, punctuation, and word agreement.
The phrase often carries prescriptive weight—implying there's a correct way to speak or write: Her emails always use proper grammar.
What counts as "proper" varies by context; formal writing demands stricter adherence than casual speech.
The term can sound judgmental, suggesting that nonstandard dialects or informal usage are inferior rather than simply different.
- syntaxRules for arranging words
- punctuationWritten clarity symbols
- spellingCorrect letter sequence
- spell checkAutomated typo detection
- correctFree from error
rules · style guide · usage · sentence · clarity · formal · writing · edit · proofread · comma · Oxford comma · semicolon · verb · subject verb agreement · noun · parts of speech · subject · agreement
- formal speechformal speech, formal tone, formal address, well-spoken, eloquence
- formalitydecorum, etiquette, politeness, respectfully, cordially
- language normscorrectness, usage, standard language, prescriptivism, descriptivism
- Language Standardsstandard language, prescriptivism, correctness, codification, spelling rules
- language biasregional bias, language shaming, language snobbery, prescriptivism, linguistic purism
proper grammargrammatical errors
Violations of language rules
ungrammatical · broken English · word salad · gibberish · solecism
proper grammarslang
Informal in-group vocabulary
colloquial speech · informal language · vernacular · street talk · casual speech
proper, grammar, properly, property, propriety, improper, improperly, proprietary, appropriate