Grammer vs Grammar Quiz: Test Yourself
Five quick questions on grammer vs grammar. Pick an answer to get instant feedback.
Flip Cards: Quick Review
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Correct. The rules of how words are combined in a language.
“Her grammar is excellent.”
A misspelling. It ends in -er instead of -ar.
Always write grammar instead.
The adjective: following the rules of grammar.
“That is a grammatical sentence.”
An expert in grammar.
“The grammarian reviewed the manuscript.”
Writers often stop to ask grammer vs grammar because the word is easy to misspell, even for people who care a great deal about writing well. Only one spelling is correct, and the mistake is understandable once you hear how the word sounds. This guide explains the difference between grammer and grammar, why the error is so common, and gives you simple tricks to spell it correctly every time.
| Term | Meaning / Status | Part of speech / Category | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| grammar | The rules for how words are combined in a language | Noun | Her grammar is excellent. |
| grammatical | Following the rules of grammar | Adjective | That is a grammatical sentence. |
| ungrammatical | Not following the rules of grammar | Adjective | The sentence was ungrammatical. |
| grammarian | An expert in grammar | Noun | The grammarian reviewed the manuscript. |
| grammer | Not a word; a misspelling of grammar | Spelling error | Avoid this form in all writing. |
What does “grammar” mean?
Grammar is the set of rules that explains how words are combined to form sentences in a language. It covers things like word order, verb forms, and how words change to show tense or number.
- Her grammar is excellent, and her essays read smoothly.
- The teacher corrected the grammar in my report.
- English grammar can be tricky for new learners.
The word is usually treated as singular, so you write “grammar is,” not “grammar are.”
Is “grammer” a real word?
No. “Grammer” is not an accepted spelling in English. It is simply “grammar” with the last vowel written as “e,” and spellcheck will usually flag it.
The same applies to other near-misses such as “gramar” (one “m”) and “grammar” written with extra letters. The correct spelling has two m’s and ends in “-ar.” This is the point behind most searches for the difference between grammer and grammar.
Why do people misspell “grammar” as “grammer”?
The main reason is pronunciation. In many accents, the unstressed final syllable of “grammar” sounds like “er,” so people spell what they hear and write “grammer.”
English has many words that end in an “er” sound but are spelled with other endings, such as sugar, calendar, collar and pillar. Because the sound gives no clue about the spelling, the “-ar” ending has to be memorized.
How do you spell “grammatical” and related words?
Related words follow a slightly different pattern. The adjective is grammatical, with “-mat-” in the middle and “-ical” at the end. It is not “grammarical.”
- Grammar (noun)
- Grammatical (adjective)
- Ungrammatical (adjective)
- Grammatically (adverb)
- Grammarian (noun)
Notice that “grammarian” keeps the “ar,” while “grammatical” changes to “mat.” It helps to learn the whole family together.
Grammer vs grammar: which spelling should you use?
Always use grammar. There is no situation where “grammer” is the right choice.
Compare these pairs:
- Please check your grammar before sending the email. (Correct.)
- Her writing is grammatical and clear. (Correct adjective.)
- He studied grammar at university. (Correct.)
If you ever doubt it, check that your spelling has two m’s and ends in “-ar.”
Common mistakes with grammar
- ✗ Check your grammer before sending.
✓ Check your grammar before sending. - ✗ She is a respected grammerian.
✓ She is a respected grammarian. - ✗ That sentence is not grammerical.
✓ That sentence is not grammatical. - ✗ Her gramar is excellent.
✓ Her grammar is excellent. - ✗ He studies English grammer every night.
✓ He studies English grammar every night.
How can you remember how to spell grammar?
Focus on the ending. Here are three memory tricks:
- The “mar” trick: Bad grammar will mar your writing. The word “mar” is hidden at the end of grammar.
- The two-m rule: Grammar has two m’s, one in “gram” and one in “mar.”
- The family trick: Remember grammarian, which keeps the “ar” and makes the ending easy to see.
FAQ: Grammer vs Grammar
Is it ‘grammer’ or ‘grammar’?
‘Grammar’ is correct. ‘Grammer’ is a common misspelling that swaps the final a for an e.
Is ‘grammer’ ever acceptable?
No. It is not an accepted spelling in standard English, and spellcheck will usually flag it.
Why do people spell grammar with an e?
The unstressed final syllable of ‘grammar’ often sounds like ‘er’, so people spell what they hear. The ‘-ar’ ending has to be memorized.
How do you spell the adjective form of grammar?
It is ‘grammatical’, with ‘mat’ in the middle. It is not ‘grammarical’ or ‘grammerical’.
Is grammar singular or plural?
It is usually treated as singular, so you write ‘grammar is’ and not ‘grammar are’.
Conclusion
When you’re stuck on grammer vs grammar, remember that only “grammar” is correct and it ends in “-ar.” Bad grammar will mar your writing, so use that trick to lock in the spelling. Share this with someone who mixes these up!