Insights
In the domain of writing and speech, the organization of vocabulary is crucial. The structure of
language can be divided into seven main parts of speech, with a potential eighth category for
interjections such as “Oh!” and “Gosh!” Communication relies on these components being
organized according to grammatical rules that we collectively accept. When these rules are not
adhered to, the result is often confusion and misunderstanding. An illustrative example of poor
grammar leading to ambiguous meaning is a quote from Strunk and White: “As a mother of five,
with another one on the way, my ironing board is always up.” The sentence humorously implies
that the ironing board is pregnant, demonstrating the pitfalls of grammatical missteps.
At the core of effective writing are nouns and verbs—two indispensable elements. Without both,
a group of words cannot form a sentence. By definition, a sentence must include a subject
(represented by a noun) and a predicate (represented by a verb). These elements work together
to create a complete thought, starting in the writer’s mind and extending to the reader’s
understanding. Proper sentence structure demands that sentences begin with a capital letter
and end with a period.
However, is it always necessary to adhere strictly to complete sentences? Not necessarily.
Writing composed solely of sentence fragments and floating clauses will not result in
intervention from the so-called Grammar Police. Even the rigid William Strunk, known for his
strict approach to rhetoric, acknowledged the flexible nature of language. He noted, “It is an old
observation that the best writers sometimes disregard the rules of rhetoric.” Yet, he also advised,
“Unless he is certain of doing well, [the writer] will probably do best to follow the rules.” This
insight is crucial: unless a writer is confident in their mastery of language, adhering to
grammatical conventions is often the best approach.
The critical phrase here is “Unless he is certain of doing well.” If a writer lacks a fundamental
understanding of how parts of speech function within coherent sentences, how can they be
assured of their writing’s quality? Without this basic grasp, recognizing poor grammar becomes
nearly impossible. Understanding the basics of grammar offers a comforting simplicity at its
core. At its essence, grammar involves only nouns, which name things, and verbs, which denote
actions.
Consider any noun paired with any verb, and you invariably form a sentence. The combinations
are endless and always work: “Rocks explode,” “Jane transmits,” “Mountains float.” While some of
these sentences may lack rational sense, even the more surreal constructions, such as “Plums
deify,” possess a poetic charm. The straightforward nature of noun-verb sentences serves as a
foundational safety net in writing. Strunk and White caution against using too many simple
sentences consecutively; however, simple sentences offer a reliable path when navigating the
complexities of more elaborate structures. They provide a fallback when confronted with
intricate rhetorical devices, such as restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses, modifying phrases,
appositives, and compound-complex sentences.
When faced with such complex grammatical structures, it is reassuring to remember the
simplicity of basic sentences: “Rocks explode,” “Jane transmits,” “Mountains float,” “Plums deify.”
These fundamental constructions serve as a grounding force. Grammar, in this context, functions
as a tool to help writers organize their thoughts and present them clearly. By mastering the
basics, writers gain the confidence to explore and experiment with more sophisticated sentence
structures while maintaining clarity and coherence. Thus, a solid understanding of grammar not
only aids in creating understandable and effective writing but also empowers writers to navigate
and master the more nuanced aspects of language.
