Customer Reviews

A Reference Grammar of Modern Hebrew (Reference Grammars)

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Such a reference book of Modern Hebrew has been needed for a long time. The only previous reference grammar in English, by Lewis Glinert, while an excellent work, is expensive, very technical, very heavy on syntax, and often outdated. This new volume is easy to use, and includes tons of useful and helpful information. It is not a comprehensive grammar with every last detail, but will still be of great value to the student of Hebrew, from the beginner to the advanced level. Recommended.

When I bought the book my need was to understand and use the different verb conjugations and prepositions better. The first aim has certainly been achieved. The second not so.

What the book does well is to provide a logical order for presenting the elements of grammar. It is thorough in that it gives examples of each component along with variations and exceptions. Pronunciations are aided by English transliterations. There are thorough appendices giving tables of the grammar components. What the book is not is comprehensive. That is, it does not go through every single verb and how it is used, leaving some intelligent work to be done by the user. Similarly with the prepositions, which is why I haven't yet come to grips with them.

But what has gained this book full marks is simply because it is readable and it is easy to dip in and out of.