Which term pertains to the study of how learners show accurate use of grammatical forms across different structures?

• A. Accuracy order
• B. Grammatical competence
• C. Interlanguage
• D. Fossilization

Answer: (A)

Grammatical competence is the ability to use accurate grammatical forms across different structures. It covers knowledge of how grammar works—morphology, syntax, agreement, tense, aspect, word order—and the capacity to apply that knowledge consistently in a variety of sentence types and contexts. When a learner shows accurate use of forms across many structures, that demonstrates solid grammatical competence.

Interlanguage refers to the evolving linguistic system learners create as they acquire the language, which includes both correct forms and errors. Fossilization is when certain errors become fixed and persist despite continued exposure and practice. Accuracy order describes the typical sequence in which learners acquire accuracy across different structures, focusing on development patterns rather than overall grammatical control. So the term that best describes the ability to demonstrate accurate grammar across diverse structures is grammatical competence.