Definition & Meaning of "generative grammar"

What is "generative grammar"?

Generative grammar is a theory of grammar that aims to describe the implicit rules and structures that govern how sentences are formed in a language. This approach focuses on the idea that humans have an innate ability to produce and understand an infinite number of sentences, based on a set of grammatical rules. Generative grammar examines syntax, semantics, and phonology to explain how language is structured and how it functions. This theory helps to understand the cognitive processes involved in language use and the universal principles that may underlie all human languages.