In learning a language, people have to concern with its grammar because

it will help them a lot to perform better in listening, speaking, reading, and

writing. In classical Greek and Latin, the word grammatica referred to “the

general study of literature and language.” 7 Moreover, Lamb and Martin stated:

“The grammar is thus the latest part of human language to have evolved;

and it likewise the last part to develop in the growth of the individual child.

It emerges through deconst ructing the original sign and reconstructing with

the content plane split into two distinct strata, semantics, and

lexicogrammar. Such a system (a higher-order semiotic organized around a

grammar) is therefore said to be stratified.“8

From those statements, it is clear that grammar is a part of language. Then,

grammar is a very important aspect of written language beside unity, coherence,

and mechanics. Ungrammatical pieces of written language may show immaturity

of language acquisition. In communication practice, ungrammatical error may

cause to misunderstanding towards the intended meaning. Therefore, people must

have grammatical ability in using language. To get further understanding about

grammatical ability, the definition about grammar itself needs to be discussed

atfirst. Francis Bacon wrote: “Concerning speech and words, the consideration of

them hath produced the science of Grammar.” On the other hand, Ben Jonson

wrote: “Grammar is the art of true and well speaking a Language.” 9 Based on the

definition above, grammar can be defined as a science and a technique of

speaking well.

The term grammar means different things to different people. To the

grammarian it has often meant the analysis of his own language, or one he has

mastered, in order to discover its “rules” of propriety, that is, what may and may
not be said in particular language.10 It means the mastery of grammar can be

different to each person. It depends on their native language or their culture.

L Murray also stated, “English grammar is the art of speaking and writing

in English Language with propriety.” Popularly, this is probably still what is

understood by „grammar‟; but for linguists and students of language, it is

Bacon‟s definition that is preferred. 11

Bacon described the concerns of grammar

as “speech and words”. It can be define as the scopes of grammar include all

aspects of language.

In this study, the assessment of grammatical ability is based on the

mastery of grammatical aspects of English course only. The study of grammar in

English is often subdivided into syntax and morphology, the former dealing with

the structure sentences, and latter with the structure of words.

Jackson, Howard. Discovering Grammar. England: Pergamon Press Ltd, 1995.

Halliday, M.A.K. On Grammar. London: Continuum, 2002.

Lado, Robert. Language Testing. New York: McGraw-Hill book Company, 1964.