Like other areas of English language arts, there are lots of different ways to tackle grammar instruction in the middle and high school classroom. The two most common are the prescriptive approach and the descriptive approach. But what’s the difference between them? Is one more effective than the other? Let’s find out!

The Prescriptive Approach

Prescriptive Approach - an approach to grammar that describes established rules of structure and usage of a language

Think of the prescriptive approach as the more “formal” or “traditional” way to teach grammar. This approach focuses on the proper use of language, enforcing guidelines for things like sentence structure, punctuation, and word choice. For instance, English students learn prescriptive grammar rules like:

• The subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number.
• Always place a modifier next to or close to the word it modifies.
• A complete sentence must have a subject and a verb.
• Avoid double negatives.

Advantages of Teaching Prescriptive Grammar

• Knowing the “standard” version of a language is useful when students need to communicate in academic, professional, and other settings where formal language is valued.
• When students know foundational grammar rules and how they work, they can intentionally bend them for style and creativity in their writing.
• Prescriptive grammar is especially helpful for English language learners (ELL) and non-native speakers who want clear guidelines for understanding the basics of the language.

Disadvantages of Teaching Prescriptive Grammar

• Prescriptive grammar doesn’t always represent how people actually speak and write, so some students may find it unrealistic.
• It also doesn’t take into account regional dialects, slang, and other cultural elements of language that don’t follow conventional grammar structures.
• Language is always changing, and some traditional grammar rules previously taught in the classroom just aren’t used anymore.

The Descriptive Approach

Descriptive Approach - an approach to grammar that examines how educated, native speakers of a language speak and write and infers conventions about what is generally regarded as correct or standard

Comparatively, the descriptive approach to grammar examines how people use language in everyday life. Even though people don’t always speak and write in ways that stick to the standard rules of grammar as described in the prescriptive approach, they're still able to convey coherent messages.

Descriptive grammar recognizes that because language evolves over time, what’s considered “incorrect” may eventually become an acceptable way of speaking or writing. Some common descriptive rules for English include:

• Whatever follows a coordinating conjunction in a sentence will be linked (in the reader’s or listener’s mind) to whatever immediately came before it.
• The time or space relationship conveyed by a preposition can be lost if the preposition comes after its object.

Advantages of Teaching Descriptive Grammar

• By focusing on why people speak the way they do, students get curious about language evolution, turning grammar instruction into a fun exploration instead of a rundown of rigid rules.
• With less emphasis on formal rules, descriptive grammar gives students permission to experiment with language instead of worrying about sounding “correct.”
• Unlike prescriptive grammar, descriptive grammar considers regional dialects, accents, and speech patterns, showing students that diversity in language is acceptable.

Disadvantages of Teaching Descriptive Grammar

• If students learn grammar only through the descriptive approach, they might struggle in formal settings where standard grammar use is expected.
• If descriptive grammar is the focus, students might not develop basic skills like sentence structure, punctuation rules, and subject-verb agreement, making their writing less clear and effective.
• Standard grammar exists for clarity and consistency, especially in cross-regional or international communication. Teaching only descriptive grammar can make it harder to establish a baseline for language use.

Which Approach Should You Use?

So, which approach to grammar is better? Short answer: They’re both great! Each approach can play a valuable role in teaching grammar, depending on your ELA goals.

If your students need to write for formal situations like academic papers or reports, the prescriptive approach might be more appropriate because it values clarity and order. If you want your students to better grasp the language they encounter in prose, poetry, dialogue, and other real-world applications, the descriptive approach might be a better fit.

The key to well-rounded grammar instruction is to strike a balance between the two. That’s why a hands-on program like Grammar for Writing is so effective.

By the time students get to your classroom, they’ve already used language for years. They have an idea of what “sounds” right or wrong. Some of these habits are good, but others may create confusion or hold students back in academic or professional settings.

Grammar for Writing doesn’t rewrite what students already know about grammar, but builds on it. Students are encouraged to reflect on how they use language, why conventions exist, and how they can apply these insights to strengthen their writing.

The book begins by looking at various units of thought: words, phrases, clauses, and sentences. Then, it explores the mechanics of combining these units into coherent communication using punctuation, capitalization, and more.

By teaching students the rules of grammar, and then showing them how those rules play out in the real world using descriptive grammar, you can help your students master the English language and become confident communicators in the process.