What is Grammar? Plus . . . a Grammar Challenge!

Some conversations in the forum as well as a couple of recent submissions have prompted me to answer the question to which every writer needs to know the answer:

What is grammar?

Merriam-Webster (m-w.com) defines it as:
1 a : the study of the classes of words, their inflections, and their functions and relations in the sentence
2 a : the characteristic system of inflections and syntax of a language b : a system of rules that defines the grammatical structure of a language

Grammar is, in essence, the way words relate to each other in order to create meaning.

Call me unimaginative, but I can't think of any situation where grammar rules can be broken, except in dialogue.

It is true that grammar rules adapt to changing times--and some old rules may be best followed only in the stuffiest of publications. However, grammar is what enables us to communicate meaningfully to others who speak and read our language. If a writer neglects to follow grammar rules, their most important purpose--to convey an idea or message--has failed. If the reader can't understand what is being said, then they will go elsewhere for their information. Not following grammar rules can also imply lack of integrity, care, or understanding to the reader, whether or not these perceived qualities were present at the time the article was written.

Grammar is different from punctuation, style, or format. Those are separate issues; the word "grammar" doesn't encompass them.

To end this entry, I'm going to present a grammar challenge. What's grammatically wrong with the following sentence and why? Also feel free to make suggestions about how this sentence can be better written.

The jobs employers said they had difficulty finding applicants for, in rank order, were service, skilled positions, laborers, sales, and health related positions.

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