Customer Reviews

Easy Arabic Grammar

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Personally, I learn a new language better if I have a good overall view of the framework of its grammar and syntax. Wightwick and Gaafar have written a quick and dirty primer for those who already have more indepth grammatic references, but need to know how it all fits together without getting buried in 450+ pages over a period of 6 to 12 months.

You'll need to know your alphabet ( I suggest Awde & Samano's 'The Arabic Alphabet'), and serious students cannot rely on this book for their main course of study; however, this book has done more for my progession than any other single book or system. Since I've made it through 'Easy Arabic Grammar' (which took me all of about 3 weeks, others could probably blow through it in much less time), most of my subsequent studies have consisted of following up on subjects I've already been introduced to, instead of learning entirely new concepts.

Good stuff.

I have taken Arabic classes, but they have not been as good as this book. It's a fantastic resource for beginning Arabic grammar. You should have a basic knowledge of Arabic - the script, for example. This book is excellent for a Level II Elementary student or above. FANTASTIC! Highly recommended~!

Very methodical. Very easy to follow. Great layout. Also has transliteration against each word so that one get the exact pronounciation. Builds up slowly and at a measured pace. Great as a companion to a mainstream teach Arabic book.

I had spent a long time working on my Arabic by the time this book came out and even though much of it was review the format was excellent and it made a perfect quick reference. I wish this book existed when I first started because it would have saved me a great deal of frustration. It is definitely not a text book and this book will only take so far before you need to pick up something heftier such as "Al-kitaab fii Ta'allum Al-'Arabiyya" but it is great place to start after you have know how to read and write. To pick up reading and writing I strongly suggest "The Arabic Alphabet: How to Read & Write It".

Start by learning to read the Arabic alphabet. Then follow up with Easy Arabic Grammer.
I bought The Arabic Alphabet and Easy Arabic Grammar as a pair of companion volumes. Great combination for a beginner like myself,

Wonderful textbook companion. Gets you down and dirty with the basic grammer. Recommended. It made things simple and with the short vocabulary lists I find this book to be motivating. I agree that vocabulary is important, but a vocab list of more than 10-15 words per chapter gets intimidating. Learn the script with The Arabic Alphabet, How to Read It & Write It. Then do the first couple chapters in this book and then start onto a "real" arabic textbook.

If you have no background this book can be useful, but it isn't one I would recommend buying. One problem is that they don't introduce the whole topic (e.g. the grammar of prepositions) at once. There are a few mistakes in the book (not in the grammar). It is useful to do the practice exercises. Haywood & Nahmad's book, 'A New Arabic Grammar', is a better book though the language and vocabulary used are an older style.

I just learned Hebrew this past year and wanted to learn Arabic. However, I first wanted to see how similar Hebrew and Arabic were, both being Semitic languages. This book was great for a quick overview of Arabic and let me know right away what carried over and what new things I had to make room for. I think the authors make a great team putting together materials for people trying to learn Arabic. My only recommendation would be more exercises, although, since this book was intended to be quick and dirty, I understand why there aren't more. Great book!

This is a well-written book which will teach the beginner the basics of the grammar of the Arabic language.
The explanations are clear, pedagogical and well-organized and the book can be used in language classes and otherwise.


Joyce Akesson, author of The Complexity of the Irregular Verbal and Nominal Forms & the Phonological Changes in Arabic

I just started this book and so far is great. It is very easy to follow. The whole book is filled with activity after each unit. Another great book to study basic Arabic grammar.