Comments on Skinner's grammar.
Replace grammar corrections with functional analysis of autoclitic and intraverbal behavior.
01Research in Context
What this study did
This paper is a short critique of traditional grammar rules.
The author argues that Skinner's functional analysis works better.
He shows how autoclitic and intraverbal functions explain grammar without prescriptive rules.
What they found
Traditional grammar says "he don't" is wrong because of a rule.
Skinner's view says the form is shaped by its function in context.
The paper shows how autoclitics (like "I think") and intraverbals (fill-ins) create what we call grammar.
How this fits with other research
Jones et al. (1992) reviewed 36 studies on constant time delay prompting.
Their work supports Skinner's view by showing how prompting shapes verbal forms.
Eugenia Gras et al. (2003) used graduated requests to build compliance.
This shows reinforcement contingencies create complex verbal behavior, backing Skinner's functional grammar.
Detrich et al. (2025) argues ABA must be disseminated to count as applied.
This paper's grammar analysis needs similar dissemination to reach language teachers.
Why it matters
Stop correcting grammar based on rules. Instead, analyze the autoclitic and intraverbal functions in your learner's speech. This shift helps you teach language as behavior shaped by its consequences, not as right-or-wrong rules.
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Join Free →When a learner says "I goed store," don't say "wrong tense." Instead, prompt the autoclitic function: "I WENT to the store" and reinforce the complete intraverbal chain.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
The strong tradition of "school room" grammars may have had a negative influence on the reception given a functional analysis of verbal behavior, both within and without the field of behavior analysis. Some of the failings of those traditional grammars, and their largely prescriptive nature were outlined through reference to other critics, and conflicting views. Skinner's own treatment of grammatical issues was presented, emphasizing his view of a functional unit and his use of the autoclitic and intraverbal functions to describe alternatives to a formal or structural analysis. Finally, the relevance of stimulus control variables to some recurring questions about verbal behavior and, specifically grammar, were mentioned.
The Analysis of verbal behavior, 1993 · doi:10.1007/BF03392889