R. Lowth

“A Short Introduction tо English Grammar”

The Principle design of a grammar of any language is to teach us to express ourselves with propriety and to enable us to judge of every phrase and form of construction, whether it is right or not. The plain way of doing this is to lay down rules and illustrate them with examples. But besides showing what is right, the matter may be further explained by pointing out what is wrong.

Grammar in general, or Universal Grammar, explains the principles that are common to all languages. The Grammar of any particular language, as well as the English grammar, applies those common principles to that particular language.

Grammar being the key to all science, a due regard has generally been paid to it by men of the best sense and most extensive knowledge. Among the ancient Romans, persons of the highest character for dignity and learning did not think the cultivation and improvement of their native tongue was beneath their attention, as we learn from their writers.

The English language has been much cultivated during the last two hundred thousand years. It has been considerably polished and refined; its bounds have been greatly enlarged; its energy, variety, richness and elegance have been abundantly proved by numberless trials, in verse and in prose, upon all subjects and in every kind of style; but whatever other improvements it may have received, it has made no advances in grammatical accuracy. Hooker is one of the earliest writers of considerable note within the period above mentioned; let his writings be compared with the best of those of more modern date, and I believe it will be found that in correctness, propriety and purity of English style he has hardly been surpassed or even equaled by any of his successors. It is now above 50 years since Dr. Swift made a public remonstrance, addressed to the Earl of Oxford, of the imperfect state of our language.

But let us consider how and in what extent we are to understand this charge. Does it mean that the English language, as it is spoken by the politest part of the nation and as it stands in the writings of our most approved authors, often offends against every part of Grammar? Thus far, I am afraid, the charge is true. Or does it farther imply that our language is in its nature irregular and capricious, not hitherto subject, nor easily reducible, to a system of rules? In this respect, I am persuaded, the charge is wholly without foundation.

Questions:

1. What is grammar?

2. How long has the English language been cultivated?

3. How has it changed?

4. How has the grammatical accuracy of the English language changed?

5. Who was the first to speak of the imperfect state of English?

6. Does the English language offend against every part of Grammar?

7. Is this language irregular and capricious in its nature?

8. Is the English language not easily reducible to a system of rules?

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