Using Multiple Grammars

Working with Grammars > About Grammars in Dialog Designer > Using Multiple Grammars

	Using Multiple Grammars

It is very possible, even likely, that at some point in your speech application you may have overlapping grammars. Overlapping grammars occur when the system has two or more active grammars for which it can accept responses.

For example, there can be a grammar set up in the AppRoot node whose function is to listen for requests for help or to be directed to a live attendant. Such grammars are almost always active. Even within the same node there can be multiple grammars, for example, when using the Menu node.

You can also use multiple grammars with a single field. For example, you might want to offer callers the option to respond with either a verbal response or a DTMF key press. In this case, you might want to create a grammar for the ASR response and a different grammar for the DTMF response. When used on the same field, either grammar can trigger the recognition. Good application design might even require you to create multiple ASR grammars for the same response field, especially when designing applications that use a natural language speech recognition approach.

Be aware when you have overlapping grammars in your application. Be careful also to ensure that you do not also have overlapping responses or entries within them.