a grammatical description of a language making essential use of transformational rules. Such grammars are usually but not necessarily generative grammars
Compare systemic grammar, case grammar
transformational grammar in American English
noun
a system of grammatical analysis, esp. 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
Word origin
[1960–65]This word is first recorded in the period 1960–65. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: buyback, deinstitutionalize, go-go, power play, tag question
Examples of 'transformational grammar' in a sentence
transformational grammar
If you can crochet hyperbolic space, you can surely tat a syllogism or macramé transformational grammar.