Late Modern English

Prescriptive Books had a major impact on grammar

Prescriptivism is an attitude towards language that assumes there are a set 'correct' lingustic rules that English should follow.

• Although grammar books had existed since 16th century, they became really popular in the 18th century, when they written to lay down rules and prescribe the correct usage.
• 18th century grammarists were also proscriptivists- they outlined rules on the type of language people shouldn't use. For example, one proscriptive rule states that sentances shouldn't end with a preposition.
• A lot of these rules were invented by 18th century grammarians like Robert Lowth. Some were imposed on English from latin or Ancient Greek, because these were seen as superior languages- they weren't spoken any more, so they couldn't 'decay' like English could.

The first dictionaries had a strong influence on standarisating spelling

One of the most important publications in the history of the English Language was Samuel Johnson's A Dictionary of the English Language (1755), which contained about 40,000 words.

• Johnson's Dictionary laid down rules for the spelling and meanings of words. He stated that his aim was to tame the language because he felt that it was out of control, despite also saying that he wanted 'not to form, but register' the language.
• The dictionary was so important because it…