On normative grammar

Open Forum in English
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What Is the Difference Between Descriptive and Prescriptive Grammar? What Is Grammar? via @aboutdotcom

I found the above article. Prescriptive grammar and normative grammar are the same thing.

2

I wonder which grammar is more influential to the other. Which do you think is more important for you?

3

“One day he’ll realize that I was right, as sure as eggs is eggs.”

“Eggs is eggs.” I once found this phrase in one of Maugham’s short stories. Since then I have been interested in this “ungrammatical” phrase.

“This type of rattlesnake has been declared an endangered species.”
Is this sentence right as sure as eggs is eggs? I suppose so.

4

Singular they
“The singular they had emerged by the 14th century and is common in everyday spoken English, but its use has been the target of criticism since the late nineteenth century. Its use in formal English has increased with the trend toward gender-inclusive language.”

5

not/no more than something
used to emphasize that a particular number, amount, distance etc is not large:

  1. It’s a beautiful cottage not more than five minutes from the nearest beach.

  2. Opinion polls show that no more than 30% of people trust the government.
    more | meaning of more in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English | LDOCE

  3. It’s a beautiful cottage at most five minutes from the nearest beach.

  4. Opinion polls show that only 30% of people trust the government.

I don’t know if native speakers of English do differentiate between “not more than something” and “no more than something” like this.
I read somewhere that they now tend to think that the two expressions are the same.

6

no less than
used to emphasize that an amount or number is large
By 1977, the USA was importing no less than 45% of its oil.

By 1977, the USA was importing as much as 45% of its oil.

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at least
not less than a particular amount or number, and possibly more

  1. Mr Gray will remain the director for three years at least.

  2. The disease killed at least 120 people in England last year.

  3. We are expecting to at least double our money.
    AT LEAST (phrase) definition and synonyms | Macmillan Dictionary

  4. Mr Gray will remain the director for not less than three years.

  5. The disease killed not less than 120 people in England last year.

  6. We are expecting to not less than double our money.

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“Species” is singular

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