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Chinese: A Comprehensive Grammar is a complete reference guide to Chinese grammar. It presents a fresh and accessible description of the language, concentrating on the real patterns of use in modern Chinese. The Grammar is an essential reference source for the learner and user of Chinese, irrespective of level. It is ideal for use in schools, colleges, universities and adult classes of all types and will remain the standard reference work for years to come. The volume is organized to promote a thorough understanding of Chinese grammar. It offers a stimulating analysis of the complexities of the language, and provides full and clear explanations. Throughout, the emphasis is on Chinese as used by present-day native speakers.
An extensive index and numbered paragraphs provide readers with easy access to the information they require. Features include: * thorough and comprehensive coverage of the modern language * use of script and romanisation throughout * detailed treatment of common grammatical structures and parts of speech * extensive and wide-ranging use of examples * particular attention to areas of confusion and difficulty
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Unlike many Chinese textbooks, this book explains Mandarin entirely in its own terms, without resorting to finding English sentences and pointing to similarities (a common method which is eventually bound to fail). It is also ruthlessly thorough and clearly explained, covering just about every possible construction you are likely to come across, so the title "A Comprehensive Grammar" is certainly well justified. If you've just started learning Mandarin, then you'll likely find this book to be too detailed, however, and I would suggest trying to find a simpler text instead (Basic Chinese: A Grammar and Workbook (Grammar Workbooks), for example). If, on the other hand, you are looking for a solid reference grammar book, then this book will easily fit the bill.
I've used this grammar for a while and I am pretty pleased with the layout. The index covers virtually everything (for my level of language which is not low) and there are a lot of examples, luckily only in simplified Chinese and pinyin, I can't stand grammars that include also traditional Chinese. There are also examples of wrong grammar that should be avoided! I love this book.
By far the most comprehensive mandarin grammar you can buy. I have at least a hundred mandarin books both grammar and text books however this one is an instant favourite. Well written, well presented easy to use. Once you pick it up and start studying, it is very easy to drift from one chapter to another. Definetely I am extra happy with this book. It is helping me tie up loose ends in my mandarin.
This book has many merits: It is, as the title suggests, comprehensive. It does contain lots of exercises that actually do test your understanding (unlike some other texts). I cannot fault it in terms of the wide range of vocabulary it introduces in a somewhat hand-wavvy manner - of course a reader of basic grammar knows the word for "sea-gull". The chief flaw of this text is that its claim to be "jargon free" is a claim worthy of a politician; unless the words "complement of manner" or "coverb" trip lightly from your tongue. Most of the terms used to describe the language are ill-fitted to giving the foreigner an understanding a prescription as to the accurate use. In conclusion, while the book is a more thorough and exhaustive examination of grammar than say the Schaum Outline, it is a book written by linguist, not by a teacher.
That being said, buy it anyway. Mandarin is difficult enough to require the student to read any and all books available.
