Noam Chomsky's theory of grammar, or more specifically his theory of syntax, proposes to describe all possible English sentences through an explanation of how the native speaker generates sentences. It is the study of one's competence that offers insights into how language is acquired and how the rules and generalizations of that language are internalized. Basic sentences are usually products of phrase-structure rules, while variations of basic sentences are products of transformational rules. Phonological and semantic applications must be made if one is to "pronounce" a sentence and get meaning from what is said or heard. If comprehension is the goal of reading, the reader must use his or her knowledge of language in general, and of transformations in particular, in order to translate printed symbols into the intended meaning. Although many studies offer specific suggestions for studying syntactic structure and increasing comprehension, it appears that the intuitive knowledge children have of their language is the best foundation upon which to build reading skills. In addition, the development of reading skills, especially comprehension, will be most effective if consideration is also given to the cues that exist within the flow of language and the similarity of the reading material to the oral language of the reader. (HOD)