Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar

The authors have rich knowledge of the subject area and have magically transformed a complicated grammar system into reader-friendly learning material. - Wen-Hua Du, Pennsylvania State University A very useful introduction to Mandarin grammar. Readers not only learn how to express their ideas with grammatical structures, but also when to use them appropriately. The authors also pinpoint the differences between Mandarin and English, and give clear and concise explanations. A good reference book for teachers and students alike. - Hsiu-Hsien, Yale University After having searched for more than 2 years for a usable book, I finally realized that Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar is in my opinion the only usable one for beginners. This book eventually allowed me to experience the feeling of unlimited immaterial joy when stepping into the world of the Chinese language (and therefore China). - Rob Beck, Language Learner

Ross, Claudia; Ma, Jing-heng Sheng

Part A Structures 1 Overview of Pronunciation and Pinyin Romanization 2 Syllable, Meaning, and Word 3 The Chinese Writing System: An Overview 4 Phrase order in the Mandarin sentence 5 Nouns 6 Numbers 7 Specifiers and Demonstratives 8 Classifiers 9 Noun Phrases 10 Adjectival Verbs 11 Stative Verbs 12 Modal Verbs 13 Action Verbs 14 Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases 15 Adverbs 16 Conjunctions 17 Aspect 118 Resulative verbs 19 Directional verbs 20 ba sentences 21 The passive Part B Situations and Functions 22 Names, Kinship Terms, Titles, and Terms of Address 23 Introductions 24 Greetings and Goodbyes 25 Basic Strategies for Communication 26 Telecommunications and e-communications: Telephones, the internet, beepers, and faxes 27 Negating Information 28 Asking Questions and Replying to Questions 29 Expressing Identification, Possession, and Existence 30 Describing People, Places, and Things 31 Describing How Actions are Performed 32 Indicating Result, Conclusion, Potential, and Extent 33 Making Comparisons 34 Talking About the Present 35 Talking About Habitual Actions 36 Talking About the Future 37 Indicating Completion and Talking About the Past 38 Talking About Change, New Situations, and Changing Situations 39 Talking About Duration and Frequency 40 Expressing Additional Information 41 Expressing Contrast 42 Expressing Sequence 43 Expressing Simultaneous Situations 44 Expressing Cause and Effect or Reason and Result 45 Expressing Conditions 46. Expressing both, all, every, any, none, not any, and no matter how 47 Expressing Location and Distance 48 Talking about Movement, Directions, and Means of Transportation 49 Talking about Clock Time and Calendar Time 50 Expressing Obligation and Prohibitions 51 Expressing Commands and Permission 52 Expressing Ability and Possibility 53 Expressing Desires, Needs, Preferences, and Willingness 54 Expressing Knowledge, Advice, and Opinions 55 Expressing Fear or Worry 56 Expressing Speaker Attitudes and Perspectives 57 Topic, Focus, and Emphasis 58 Guest and Host 59 Giving and Responding to Compliments 60 Expressing Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction 61 Expressing Gratitude and Responding to Expressions of Gratitude 62 Invitations, Requests, and Refusals 63 Expressing Apologies, Regrets, and Sympathy 64 Expressing Congratulations and Good Wishes Index