What grammar is.
Coming back, then, from the question, What ground should grammar cover? we come to answer the question, What should grammar teach? and we give as an answer the definition,—
English grammar is the science which treats of the nature of words, their forms, and their uses and relations in the sentence.
The work it will cover.
This will take in the usual divisions, "The Parts of Speech" (with their inflections), "Analysis," and "Syntax." It will also require a discussion of any points that will clear up difficulties, assist the classification of kindred expressions, or draw the attention of the student to everyday idioms and phrases, and thus incite his observation.
Authority as a basis.
A few words here as to the authority upon which grammar rests.
Literary English.
The statements given will be substantiated by quotations from the leading or "standard" literature of modern times; that is, from the eighteenth century on. This literary English is considered the foundation on which grammar must rest.
Spoken English.