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A Reference Grammar of Modern Standard Arabic (Reference Grammars)

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Karin C. Ryding (Author)
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Karin C. Ryding (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars 33 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0521777711
ISBN-10: 0521777712
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Product Details

  • Series: Reference Grammars
  • Paperback: 736 pages
  • Publisher: Cambridge University Press (September 19, 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0521777712
  • ISBN-13: 978-0521777711
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.5 x 9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #640,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsSolid Reference Grammar: it's what it says it is
By Nathan B on October 6, 2007
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
This is an excellent reference manual for MSA Arabic. I found it a useful reference for somebody who already has a firm grasp of Arabic and would like to gain a deeper understanding of the language. If you are a beginner, or even intermediate student, this really isn't the right text for you. It is simply too difficult to make sense of without adequate background. I majored in Middle East Studies/Arabic and also lived in the Mid East for a while--and found it just right for me. I selected this book a while after graduating to solidify and deepen my understanding of the extreme complexities of the language. I was not the top student in written Arabic (nor was I the bottom student), so perhaps a more exceptional student academically could make use of it with less experience. Personally, I did much better in spoken Arabic, but less so in written Arabic--so I needed (need) a book like this.

The book does build from chapter to chapter, so skipping right to chapter 11, for instance, may be difficult for the average person. If you skip chapters, it assumes that you understand the previous chapters. The amount of material covered in this book is both its strength and it's weakness: if you are ready for over 700 pgs of complicated Arabic grammar (not a page is wasted), go for it. Again, I don't recommend this for any but the VERY serious intermediate student (any student of Arabic has to be serious--I mean serious even for an Arabic student), or advanced skilled Arabic user.

I think it is best to look elsewhere if you are having trouble with a particular concept at a functional level. However, if you already understand the concept at a fairly functional level, and want to deepen your understanding, this book may be right for you. For example, verbs.Read more ›
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4.0 out of 5 starsGood, concise Arabic grammar guide
By Melissa Finn on March 8, 2007
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I have been studying Arabic for two years and this book is MUCH better at explaining Arabic grammar than the Ahlan wa Sahlan series by Mahdi Alosh. Though it is really dry (after all it is a reference guide), Ryding is much more concise and consistent than Alosh. She also presents the material in a sequential order that is more conducive to learning complex Arabic structure. I find this to be the most frustrating aspect of the Ahlan wa Sahlan series. Ryding also provides an excellent guide for Arabic verb structure which is the foundation of the language. Alosh only hits on it occassionally and well after a student of Arabic should be exposed to it.

The reason I am giving it 4 stars, instead of 5 is because she does get a little too technical with the usage of English grammar concepts. However, she does provide a good explanation for why she does this and it does help provide a better understanding of how Arabic relates.

I hightly recommend this guide as a companion to any university Arabic program. Wish I had discovered it two years ago!!
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5.0 out of 5 starsBest current reference on Arabic
By T. Potter on September 10, 2006
Format: Paperback
In 39 crisp chapters covering more than 700 pages Ryding organizes both the grand lines and essential details of Arabic language structure and grammar. This is a highly readable, easily searched linguistic reference. The index really does the job and her list of references alone is a significant academic contribution. Finally, this gem will make life easier for both students of Arabic and researchers. All my thumbs are up for this once in a lifetime linguistic treasure.
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4.0 out of 5 starsClear and Concise
By Quantum on January 3, 2009
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
What makes Arabic hard? This question is one of the fundamental and repeated queries of the Arabic student. Neophytes may think it's the alphabet, others may think it's the vocabulary, but I believe, and I think that many others would agree with me in saying that the most difficult part of Arabic is grammar. Since many grammar rules are never exposed in most verbal or written texts, it is possible for even advanced students of the language to maintain little more than an elementary proficiency in syntax and grammar. I even remember one Saudi student in Spokane telling me it was easier for him to write papers in English than it was for him to write them in Arabic.

So, it became inevitable that I should read a grammar book other than the isolated (although deftly composed) lessons in the Al-Kitaab series. Based on other reviews, I picked up A Reference Grammer of Modern Standard Arabic, by Karin C. Ryding, and I have not been disappointed. Perhaps contrary to the expectations of the author, I read the text straight through and was gratified to see it start from letters and continue on to words, with the most difficult part of verbs and conjugation coming at the end. The mast surprising thin about this book was its accessibility. I read it all in about 4 days, and while it will certainly take me more time to memorize and internalize all the new concepts and words I feel like I have a vastly improved knowledge of Arabic grammar than before I read this book. The most helpful tool for this is the fact that the majority of the 700 pages is devoted to phrase-level and sentence level examples, from form XII verbs to rules governing the seat of Hamza within words.Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

The most thorough Arabic grammar guide available. Extremely helpful.

Published 4 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsAt last! I've finally found a 'modern' and thorough MSA grammar book...

What I like most about the book is it's current 'modern' format for today's Arabic language learner. Read more

Published 7 months ago by sandrab
5.0 out of 5 starsKhosh Aowi!!!

Best book for Arabic ever!!!

Published 9 months ago by Fyodor Bookdoevsky
1.0 out of 5 starsI am sorry that I spent my money in something so useless.

Poorly organized.The arabic script is impossible to read.
I am sorry that I spent my money in something so useless.

Published 13 months ago by Nieves Jordan
5.0 out of 5 starsBEST ARABIC GRAMMAR EVER

As someone who has taught languages in three different universities, I can truly say Ryding's grammar is by far the best Arabic grammar ever written. Read more

Published 23 months ago by MIGUEL A ILLANA TRAP
5.0 out of 5 starsI highly recommend this book to any serious student of Arabic

Ryding's book is an indispensable companion to the Al Kitaab series (woefully short on explanations) and the Wehr dictionary. Read more

Published 23 months ago by S. Toyofuku
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

excellent explanations and examples. A great help for a beginner - intermediate.

Published 23 months ago by Bettina Buchholtz
4.0 out of 5 starsVery comprehensive but with some errors

I'm just in the beggining of the book, i know that I shouldn't be giving this revier, but I fundo some translation errors. Read more

Published on October 10, 2013 by eneida buba
5.0 out of 5 starsAmazing Reference Guide!

This reference book is very detailed and is not, just as other reviewers have mentioned, for beginners of Arabic. Read more

Published on October 6, 2013 by Casual Gamer
5.0 out of 5 starsSchmender

I is loves book. it got greeeen cover n other stuffs? When I buys this it is best book i

Published on July 14, 2013 by Austin Hannigan

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