Is there a word or phrase in linguistics describes the patterns of English in common use?
The crux of my question is how do we get from descriptive linguistic grammars for English to the often confusing contradictory and tedious grammar rules taught to native speakers and esl students?
Note: I've edited the original post for clarity, I apologize if that leaves the very useful comments below without context.
Solution 1:
Perhaps you're looking for the word vernacular, which is the language spoken by ordinary people in a particular region. This is entirely determined by day-to-day usage, and can include slang, expression that aren't strictly grammatical, and the like.
Solution 2:
The closest word I can think of is idiomatic.
- Using, containing, or denoting expressions that are natural to a native speaker.
en.oxforddictionaries.com