What does ungrammatical mean?
Ungrammatical describes language that does not follow the rules of grammar. It can refer to a sentence, phrase, word form, or pattern that fails the grammatical conventions of a language, such as an incorrect verb agreement or an ill-formed clause. The term is used in education, editing, linguistics, and formal discussion, and it is distinct from merely informal or unusual language: a construction may be understood and locally accepted while still violating a stated grammatical rule. In everyday criticism, ungrammatical can sound severe, so writers often use less blunt alternatives such as "grammatically incorrect" or "ill-formed." Knowing the word is useful because it identifies a structural failure rather than a disagreement about style. It also reminds readers and speakers that clarity and grammatical correctness are related but separate qualities: meaningful communication can survive a grammatical error, while flawless syntax alone does not guarantee clarity or good style.
adjectiveNot conforming to the rules or conventions of grammar. In linguistics, it describes a construction that violates the grammatical patterns of a language.
- Not conforming to the rules of grammar; linguistically, failing to meet the grammatical constraints of a language.
"The editor corrected the ungrammatical sentence before publishing the article."
"The essay contains an ungrammatical construction that makes its meaning unclear."
"In formal editing, an ungrammatical phrase is often rewritten rather than merely shortened."
A sentence can be perfectly understandable and still be ungrammatical, showing that clarity and grammatical correctness are not the same thing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ungrammatical come from?
Ungrammatical was formed in English by adding the negative prefix un- to grammatical. Grammatical comes through Latin grammaticalis, meaning "pertaining to letters or grammar," ultimately from Greek gramma, "letter," and the related Greek grammatikos, "skilled in letters." The same root underlies grammar, grammatical, grammaticality, and grammatically.
How ungrammatical is actually used
Commonly used for sentences, phrases, forms, and constructions. It is more specific than informal or unconventional, though in everyday criticism it can sound blunt; alternatives such as "grammatically incorrect" or "ill-formed" may sound less severe.