transformational grammar
noun
a system of grammatical analysis, especially a form of generative grammar, that posits the existence of deep structure and surface structure, using a set of transformational rules to derive surface structure forms from deep structure; a grammar that uses transformations to express the relations between equivalent structures.
Origin of transformational grammar
First recorded in 1960–65
Words nearby transformational grammar
British Dictionary definitions for transformational grammar
transformational grammar
noun
a grammatical description of a language making essential use of transformational rules. Such grammars are usually but not necessarily generative grammars
Compare systemic grammar, case grammar