Understanding the Evolution of English Grammar Rules
English grammar has evolved significantly over centuries, influenced by historical events, societal shifts, and linguistic influences. This article explores some of the traditional grammar rules that have changed over time, emphasizing the notable transformations that have occurred in recent decades.
Gender Neutrality in Pronouns: A Contemporary Shift
A significant change in modern English grammar is the shift towards gender-neutral pronouns. Traditionally, the pronoun “he” was commonly used to refer to both male and female entities. For example, a phrase like “Everyone must bring his own supplies” was once considered both grammatically correct and gender-inclusive. Over time, however, it became clear that this approach was not fully inclusive of female entities.
Most style guides now recommend either making the sentence plural or using the gender-neutral pronoun “they.” This change reflects a broader societal movement towards gender equality and inclusivity. For instance:
Old: Everyone must bring his own supplies.
New: Everyone must bring their own supplies.
Another example shows the use of "they" in a singular context:
I saw someone outside my window. They were wearing a hat and a face mask so I couldn’t identify them.
This shift towards gender-neutral language has occurred within the past 50 years and is a testament to the evolving nature of modern English grammar.
New Acceptance of Linguistic Constructions
In addition to the changes in pronoun usage, the acceptance of certain grammatical constructions has also seen significant transformation. For instance:
Split Infinitives: The traditional notion that it is improper to split an infinitive (e.g., to see vs. to see a movie) has become less strict. Many modern writers and grammarians now accept and even use split infinitives without hesitation. Therefore, the original phrase “to see a movie” is still grammatically correct, but “to see a movie and to watch a play” may be split without issue.
Prepositions at the End of Sentences: Another long-standing rule was that sentences should not end with prepositions. This practice is now widely accepted in informal and many formal writing contexts. For example, instead of “The decision is in what Jean will do” (the traditional correct version), one might say “The decision is in what will Jean do.”
Gender-Neutral ‘They’: The use of the gender-neutral pronoun “they” for a singular antecedent has been adopted in many contexts. For example, “The student needs to hand in their work by the deadline” reflects this modern acceptance, reflecting both inclusivity and contemporary linguistic flexibility.
Declining Inflections and Syntax
English has also evolved from a highly inflected language to one that relies more heavily on syntax and word order. In the past, verb endings carried a significant amount of grammatical information, but over time, these inflections have largely disappeared. The use of syntax or the arrangement of words in a sentence has become the primary means of conveying relationships between words.
Historical events, such as the Norman Conquest, played a role in this shift. The Normans brought a different linguistic influence to English, leading to a simplification of verb forms and a greater reliance on word order. Consequently, modern English has relied more on syntax to convey meaning.
For example, historical verb conjugations like bring, brings, brought, and brought have simplified to bring. This trend is evident in other areas of the language as well, reducing the complexity of grammatical structures and making the language more accessible and flexible.
Capitalization and Nouns
Another notable change in English grammar is the treatment of capitalization. Before the 19th century, all nouns were capitalized, as is still the case in German. This practice is now reserved for proper nouns and nationalities. Common nouns are no longer capitalized, reflecting the modern trend towards simplification and clarity.
Conclusion
The evolution of English grammar rules demonstrates the dynamic nature of language. Traditional rules, such as the exclusive use of "he," the prohibition against split infinitives, and the requirement to avoid ending sentences with prepositions, have been re-evaluated and often reconsidered in the face of modern linguistic standards. These changes reflect broader societal shifts towards inclusivity and equality, as well as the practicality of language in a complex, interconnected world.
Understanding these changes is crucial for effective communication and writing, ensuring that the language remains accessible and inclusive for all.