Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar

by Claudia Ross, Jing-heng Sheng Ma

Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar is an innovative reference guide to Mandarin Chinese, combining traditional and function-based grammar in a single volume. Divided into two sections closely linked by extensive cross-references, it With all grammar points and functions richly illustrated with examples, and a strong emphasis on contemporary usage, the main features of this Grammar include examples in simplified characters, traditional characters, and romanization (Pinyin) as well as an emphasis on areas of particular difficulty for learners of Mandarin Chinese. This is the ideal reference grammar for learners of Mandarin Chinese at all levels, from elementary to advanced. No prior knowledge of grammatical terminology is assumed and a glossary of grammatical terms is provided. Featuring related exercises and activities, this Grammar is accompanied by the Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar Workbook.

Genres: China, Reference, Language, Nonfiction, Linguistics, Textbooks, Asia

424 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the past four months I've been working my way through this grammar book on the weekends. I've found it to be a really good review. It's divided into two sections, one where the grammer and it's rules are laid out in the traditional manner for a grammar book, sentence structure, verbs, etc. and the second half is all based on situational structures, how to express things based on situation and context. I found the explanations quite easy. Though I think this was because there wasn't a great deal of technical explanations. For each instance there was a brief explanation of how it works in Chinese (normally what order things should be) and a sample sentence. I don't think it'd be that helpful as an initial grammar book because there's not much explanation and only one example but as review it's great. It is also good because the sentences are mostly very easy to understand. There is not a huge ammount of new vocabulary in the sample sentences and they are realy easy to adapt to your own situation.

I think it was really good to go back and review this. Though I wish I'd done it quicker as I feel I've already forgotten some of the things I learned. But it will make an excellent reference, particularly because of the way the second half is structured when writing it will be very easy to check which is the right way to say something. I'm really glad I got this. It's definitely helped improve my Chinese.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally finished this guide to Modern Mandarin Chinese grammar. I would say it is a very useful reference book for Level 2-Level 3 Mandarin Chinese learners, especially those who are trying to get an introduction to literary and formal Chinese. There is a very useful section on writing formal letters in Chinese and how to respectfully and appropriately address people of different relations to you and social status. It can be helpful for those trying to start reading news articles in Chinese, and for those trying to make their Chinese more formal. I would say that once you get deep into the advanced level of Mandarin, however, this book is not of too much use.

[Jacob Rabinowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading Classical Chinese for a few years, and finally wanted to read books where the best commentary was the facing-page modern Chinese translation. This book proved to be clear, well-organized, and very handy. I am simply reading it cover to cover over and over till I have mastered the content. Particularly helpful is the printing of all characters in both traditional and simplified form. A splendid reference work.

[Huyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chinese is a pretty awful language but the grammar is relatively easy, phew!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty decent book on chinese grammar.
Unfortunately I find it difficult to read because I'm still struggling a lot with the grammar but I can see how I will use it as a reference in the future.

I think it could've used a bit more examples but then perhaps it would become to bloated.

[Tiffany Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's difficult to find a really good Chinese language grammar book. This one is excellent.

[Harry Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this book many many years ago ... and only now, started reading it again and finished it, proper. This is the year where I am spending time daily learning and practising Chinese.

[Lidik]

Did not have the time available to actually study this.

[Richard Pohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and definitely better than the previous edition. A top grammar resource, clean and clear.

[Mathew Lui · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great resource and many sentence structures for a variety of topics. The writing is a little too try for me; however the great thing about this text is that is uses both Simplified and Traditional Chinese characters. This is a huge plus for me who wishes to learn Traditional over Simplified.

[Stephen Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The organization/structure of the book could be better, but it is a very useful and productive tool for learning Chinese.

[Hui · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Chinese, I would like to say the explanation makes things easier to study Chinese. It demonstrates a systematic perspective that I did not know before.

[Aung Win]

I want to read this book

[Anthony · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a lot of useful things in here for anyone who has studied Chinese as long as I have. The sentence structures and vocabulary are drawn heavily from mainland Chinese. I found it annoying that it had the simplified characters juxtaposed with the traditional characters. Had the simplified characters not been placed, the book could have been reduced by 1/4 in length OR extra examples could have been written for each grammar point. I guess the main point is that it would be more useful for someone living in China not Taiwan.