In this second lesson in our study of grammar, we take an important step forward. In the first lesson, we learned what objects and words are. We discovered that every time we think or speak or write, we are thinking, speaking, or writing about objects—things we can perceive or be conscious of. We also learned that words are the tools we use to express our thoughts about these objects.
Now that we understand what words are used for, it is time to take a closer look at what language really is, and what grammar helps us to do. In this lesson, we will learn the basic definitions that we must understand before we can begin to study grammar in greater detail.
Let us take our time and learn these ideas one by one.
1. What Is Language?
Let’s begin with a very simple question:
What is language?
Language is something we all use every day. We use it when we talk, when we read, when we write, when we sing, and even when we pray. But what is it?
The simplest answer is this:
Language is the expression of thought by means of words.
Let’s stop and think about what that means.
You and I have thoughts in our minds. We think about many things: people, places, ideas, feelings, hopes, and plans. But thoughts by themselves are invisible. No one else can see your thoughts. No one else knows what’s happening in your mind—unless you express it.
How do you express your thoughts? You use words.
So when we take the thoughts inside our minds and express them using words, we are using language. That’s all language is: expressing what we think by using words.
2. Two Kinds of Language: Spoken and Written
Now that we know what language is, we can see that there are two main ways that we use it.
Spoken Language
The first way we use language is by speaking. We use our voices to express the words that carry our thoughts.
This is called Spoken Language.
So let’s define it clearly:
Spoken Language is the expression of ideas by the voice.
When you’re talking to your family at dinner, or answering a question in class, or praying aloud at church—you’re using spoken language. You’re expressing your thoughts using your voice.
Our voices form sounds. These sounds are turned into words. And those words carry meaning. The people around us hear the sounds, recognize the words, and understand what we’re trying to say.
That’s the beauty of spoken language. It allows us to communicate directly with one another in real time, using nothing but the sound of our voices.
Written Language
But what if the person we want to speak to is not near us? What if we want to share our thoughts with someone far away—or even with someone who hasn’t been born yet?
This brings us to the second kind of language: Written Language.
Let’s define it: Written Language is the expression of thought by the use of written or printed characters.
In written language, we still express our thoughts using words. But instead of speaking those words with our voice, we use letters and symbols to represent them on a page or a screen.
Every letter in the alphabet stands for a sound. When we put letters together in the right order, they form words, just like in speech. And when we put words together in the right way, they form sentences that others can read and understand.
With written la nguage, we can communicate with people far away. We can even share our thoughts with people in the future—those who will read what we’ve written long after we’re gone. That’s why written language is so powerful.
3. Comparing Spoken and Written Language
Let’s take a moment to compare the two types of language:
Spoken Language is made with the voice. It uses sounds.
Written Language is made with letters and characters. It uses symbols on a page or screen.
Both spoken and written language are ways of doing the same thing:
Expressing our thoughts with words.
Both forms of language allow us to share our ideas, explain our knowledge, ask questions, and tell stories. The difference is in how we share them—by sound or by writing.
As we study grammar, we’ll learn how both spoken and written language work, and how we can use both correctly.
4. What Is Grammar?
Now that we understand what language is, we are ready to learn what grammar is.
You may have heard the word “grammar” before. You may think of it as a subject in school, or a set of rules for writing sentences. That’s partly true—but grammar is much more than just rules.
Let’s give a clear definition:
Grammar treats of the principles and usages of language.
That means grammar is the study of how language works. It helps us understand the principles, or the guiding truths, behind how words should be used. It also helps us understand usage, which means how words are used properly in speaking and writing.
Grammar is not something made up by teachers or textbooks. It’s something discovered by wise people who studied how language is naturally used to express thoughts. They studied the best writers and speakers of the past, and they looked for patterns and rules that help us use language well.
When we study grammar, we’re learning to use language correctly, clearly, and beautifully.
5. What Is English Grammar?
Now that we know what grammar is in general, we can ask:
What is English Grammar?
There are many languages in the world—Latin, Greek, Spanish, French, German, and many others. Each of these has its own grammar, its own rules and patterns for how words should be used.
So when we study English Grammar, we are not learning about language in general—we are learning how to use the English language correctly.
Let’s define it clearly:
English Grammar teaches how to speak and write the English language correctly.
This is important. It’s not enough just to speak or write in English—we must do so correctly.
That means:
Using the right words in the right way
Putting words in the right order
Using correct punctuation and spelling
Following the rules of sentence structure
When we use English grammar properly, we show respect for truth, for our readers and listeners, and for the beauty of the language God has given us.
Why Does Grammar Matter?
You might be wondering: Why is grammar important? After all, many people talk without thinking about grammar. Some people write messages on phones or computers without worrying about spelling or punctuation. Why should we bother?
Here’s the answer:
Because words matter, and how we use them matters even more.
Grammar helps us:
Speak clearly, so others understand us
Write correctly, so we avoid confusion
Think carefully, so our thoughts are organized
Communicate truthfully, so we express what we really mean
When you use grammar well, your words become more powerful. You are more easily understood. You can defend what is true and explain what is right. You can write letters, essays, stories, or even books that are pleasant to read and full of meaning.
Great saints, scholars, and writers of the past studied grammar carefully so they could serve others with their words. We are called to do the same.
Let’s Review
Let’s take a few moments to review what we’ve learned in this lesson:
Language is the way we express our thoughts using words.
There are two kinds of language:
Spoken Language uses the voice to express ideas.
Written Language uses letters and characters to express ideas.
Grammar is the study of the principles and usages of language. It helps us understand how language works and how to use it properly.
English Grammar is the study of how to speak and write the English language correctly.
These are the basic definitions we must understand before we go any further in our study. They may seem simple, but they are the foundation of everything else that will come later.
Questions to Think About
Let’s end this lesson with a few important questions to help you remember what you’ve learned:
What is language?
Language is the expression of thought by means of words.What is spoken language?
Spoken language is the expression of ideas by the voice.What is written language?
Written language is the expression of thought by the use of written or printed characters.What is grammar?
Grammar treats of the principles and usages of language.What is English grammar?
English grammar teaches how to speak and write the English language correctly.
Take your time with these questions. Be sure you can answer each one clearly. If needed, go back and review the lesson again.
Remember: These definitions are not just to memorize. They are ideas you will use every time you read, write, or speak in English.
Conclusion
You have now completed Lesson 2 of Elementary Grammar: Definitions. You’ve learned what language is, how we use it in speech and writing, and what grammar helps us do.
This lesson gives us a clear understanding of what we’re studying—and why it matters. We are not just learning rules. We are learning to think well, speak clearly, and write beautifully.
Take a moment to review your notes. Say the definitions aloud to yourself. And remember: you are learning the same things that students learned hundreds of years ago in the great classical schools of the Church.
May your studies be blessed, and may your words always be used to express truth.
