Generative Grammar is a theory of language that focuses on the rules and structures that govern how sentences are formed. Developed by linguist Noam Chomsky in the 1950s, it suggests that humans have an innate ability to generate an infinite number of sentences using a limited set of grammatical rules. This approach emphasizes the underlying structure of language rather than just its surface forms.
The theory posits that all languages share a common structural basis, known as Universal Grammar. This concept implies that despite the diversity of languages, there are fundamental principles that guide their formation. Generative Grammar has significantly influenced the fields of linguistics, cognitive science, and language education.