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Language is as much an art as it is a science. It evolves and morphs over time, reflecting shifts in culture, technology, and human expression. For copyeditors, navigating the complexities of language means walking a fine line between prescriptive and descriptive grammar. These two approaches to language not only influence how editors approach their work but also shape the way they handle client expectations and audience needs. Let’s explore the key differences between prescriptive and descriptive grammar and how they affect the role of a copyeditor.
Table of Contents
What Is Prescriptive Grammar?
Prescriptive grammar lays out rules for how language should be used. It’s the foundation of traditional grammar books and style guides, offering clear guidelines on what is deemed correct or incorrect. For example
- “Don’t split infinitives.” (E.g., “to boldly go” is considered incorrect in strict prescriptive terms.)
- “Never end a sentence with a preposition.”
- “Use ‘fewer’ for countable nouns and ‘less’ for uncountable nouns.”
The goal of prescriptive grammar is to maintain consistency and uphold traditional language standards. It’s particularly useful in academic, legal, and formal business contexts where precision and adherence to convention are critical.
For copyeditors, prescriptive grammar often serves as a starting point. Style guides like The Chicago Manual of Style, AP Stylebook, or MLA Handbook are rooted in prescriptive principles. However, they do move with the times. The Chicago Manual of Style often uses the word “usually” in its recommendations, which gives the writer/editor some leeway in how they choose to apply the recommendations. Rigid adherence to these rules can sometimes clash with the realities of modern usage and audience expectations.
What Is Descriptive Grammar?
Descriptive grammar, on the other hand, focuses on how language is actually used by speakers and writers. Rather than enforcing rules, it observes and documents patterns, variations, and changes in language use over time. For example
- Accepting the singular “they” as a gender-neutral pronoun.
- Recognizing informal phrases like “gonna” or “ain’t” as valid in specific contexts.
- Acknowledging that ending a sentence with a preposition is common and often natural in spoken English.
Linguists typically favor a descriptive approach, as it reflects the living, evolving nature of language. For copyeditors, descriptive grammar can be a useful guide for creating relatable, engaging, and audience-appropriate content—particularly in marketing, creative writing, or social media.
Personally, I started out as a prescriptive editor as I was so worried about making mistakes in my work. I felt like I had to enforce every single rule. Nowadays, I’m much more open to being flexible if it suits the author’s voice to break some “rules.”
How These Frameworks Impact Copyeditors
Both prescriptive and descriptive grammar have their place in a copyeditor’s toolkit. The challenge lies in striking the right balance, depending on the context, audience, and purpose of the text.
Here are some key considerations:
- Understanding the Audience
- For academic or technical writing, prescriptive grammar rules are often nonnegotiable.
- For conversational or creative content, a more descriptive approach may resonate better with readers.
- Client Expectations
- Some clients expect strict adherence to traditional grammar rules, while others prioritize tone and relatability over grammatical precision.
- It’s important to clarify these expectations upfront to align your editing approach with the client’s goals.
- Evolving Language
- Language changes over time. A good copyeditor stays informed about emerging trends, such as the increasing acceptance of the singular “they” or the shift away from rigid punctuation rules.
- Balancing modern usage with established norms can help ensure that writing feels both polished and relevant.
- Contextual Flexibility
- Prescriptive rules can provide a solid framework for clarity and consistency, but they shouldn’t stifle creativity or accessibility.
- Descriptive grammar can help an editor preserve the writer’s voice and adapt to informal or niche contexts without sacrificing readability.
Practical Tips for Copyeditors
- Know Your Style Guides: Familiarize yourself with the recommendations and conventions of major style guides, but don’t treat them as the final word in every situation.
- Stay Curious: Keep an eye on linguistic trends, emerging words, and shifts in language usage. Merriam-Webster often adds new words to the dictionary. The AP Stylebook blog is a good place to look for updates as well.
- Communicate Clearly: Discuss the balance between prescriptive and descriptive approaches with clients, especially if their audience or industry calls for flexibility.
- Trust Your Judgment: As a copyeditor, your role isn’t to enforce rules but to enhance clarity, readability, and impact. Use your knowledge of both prescriptive and descriptive grammar to make informed decisions.
Conclusion
Copyediting is as much about context as it is about correctness. Understanding the differences between prescriptive and descriptive grammar empowers editors to adapt their approach based on the needs of the text and its intended audience. By blending the structure of prescriptive grammar with the adaptability of descriptive grammar, copyeditors can produce polished, effective, and engaging content that stands the test of time—or, at the very least, the next time language evolves, i.e., all the time.
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