What does ungrammatically mean?
Ungrammatically is an adverb meaning in a way that violates accepted rules of grammar or syntax. It can describe speech, writing, or an individual construction, as in “The child spoke ungrammatically” or “The sentence was assembled ungrammatically.” Unlike words such as badly, incorrectly, or awkwardly, ungrammatically identifies a specific linguistic failure: the arrangement of words, use of inflected forms, or omission of required grammatical elements does not conform to recognized rules. The term does not mean that a sentence is merely inelegant, overly informal, or unsuitable for a particular audience; it indicates a departure from grammatical structure. Because judgments of grammar can differ somewhat across dialects and contexts, speakers sometimes prefer more qualified terms such as nonstandard. Nevertheless, ungrammatically remains useful whenever the concern is specifically the grammatical organization of language rather than style, clarity, or correctness in a broader sense.
adverbIn a way that violates the accepted rules of grammar or syntax. It describes language that is structurally ungrammatical rather than merely awkward, informal, or stylistically unsuitable.
- In violation of accepted rules of grammar or syntax.
"The witness answered so ungrammatically that the transcript was almost impossible to follow."
"The witness answered so ungrammatically that the transcript was almost impossible to follow."
"The sentence was formed ungrammatically, with the verb in the wrong position."
Ungrammatically does not merely mean badly written: it can convict an entire spoken sentence of breaking the rules of grammar.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ungrammatically come from?
Ungrammatically is an English formation built from the adjective ungrammatical and the adverb-forming suffix -ly. It belongs to the word family of grammar, grammatical, and grammatically, which ultimately derive from Latin grammaticalis and Greek grammatikos, meaning “of letters” or “pertaining to writing.” The prefix un- negates the meaning of grammatical, while -ly converts the resulting adjective into an adverb. Its precise first-attested date is not essential to understanding the word's development.
How ungrammatically is actually used
This is a standard, formal term used in language analysis and grammar correction. It should not be confused with a judgment of style: a sentence may be grammatical yet awkward, unclear, or inappropriate for a particular context.
Easily confused with ungrammatically
Ungrammatical is an adjective describing a word, sentence, or construction, whereas ungrammatically is an adverb describing the manner in which someone speaks or writes.