Quote:
Originally Posted by teh603
And I'm referring to the fact that "correct" English grammar is actually quite burdensome and doesn't usually help with understanding.
For example, correct grammar means you aren't supposed to overuse the word "said." But as writers, we're told that "said" is transparent. We're ultimately using incorrect grammar, because it works better than correct grammar. And then how many times do we begin a sentence with a conjunction? Dangle participles or prepositions? Use a double negative in dialog or contraction anywhere? Begin a quote as a fresh sentence instead of forcing a comma at the end of the previous one?
Most of the things I listed up there are nitpicky details of correct grammar, which don't actually help with understanding.
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Not using "said" is a writing convention, not a grammar issue.
That aside, I don't understand your first paragraph. How is using correct grammar (which relates to sentence structure) burdensome?
On your other examples, all those things can be used to good effect, if you know what you're doing, and why you're using them that way. And you can use double negatives or other bad grammar in dialog easily, if that's the best way to get across the personality of the character speaking.