Generative grammar is a theory of language that focuses on the rules and structures that govern how sentences are formed. Developed by 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 principles that make language possible. The theory contrasts with descriptive grammar, which simply observes how language is used in practice. Generative grammar aims to explain the cognitive processes involved in language production and comprehension, highlighting the universal aspects of grammar shared across different languages.