Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
transformational grammar Word Origin noun
- a system of grammatical analysis, especially a form of generative grammar, that posits the existence of deep structure and surface structure, using a set of transformational rules to derive surface structure forms from deep structure; a grammar that uses transformations to express the relations between equivalent structures.
Origin of transformational grammar First recorded in 1960–65 British Dictionary definitions for transformational grammar transformational grammar noun
- a grammatical description of a language making essential use of transformational rules. Such grammars are usually but not necessarily generative grammarsCompare systemic grammar, case grammar