ABSTRACT

Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar is an innovative reference guide to Mandarin Chinese, combining traditional and function-based grammar in a single volume.

Divided into two sections closely linked by extensive cross-references, it covers:

  • traditional grammatical categories such as phrase order, nouns, verbs and specifiers
  • language functions and notions such as communication strategies, giving and seeking information, expressing apologies, regrets and sympathies.

With all grammar points and functions richly illustrated with examples, and a strong emphasis on contemporary usage, the main features of this Grammar include examples in simplified characters, traditional characters, and romanization (Pinyin) as well as an emphasis on areas of particular difficulty for learners of Mandarin Chinese.

This is the ideal reference grammar for learners of Mandarin Chinese at all levels, from elementary to advanced. No prior knowledge of grammatical terminology is assumed and a glossary of grammatical terms is provided. Featuring related exercises and activities, this Grammar is accompanied by the Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar Workbook.

part |1 pages

PART A Structures

chapter 2|6 pages

Syllable, meaning, and word

chapter 3|5 pages

The Chinese writing system: an overview

chapter 4|5 pages

Phrase order in the Mandarin sentence

chapter 5|6 pages

Nouns

chapter 6|11 pages

Numbers

chapter 7|4 pages

Specifiers and demonstratives

chapter 8|6 pages

Classifiers

chapter 9|7 pages

Noun phrases

chapter 10|5 pages

Adjectival verbs

chapter 11|8 pages

Stative verbs

chapter 12|7 pages

Modal verbs

chapter 13|6 pages

Action verbs

chapter 14|7 pages

Prepositions and prepositional phrases

chapter 15|8 pages

Adverbs

chapter 16|3 pages

Conjunctions

chapter 17|5 pages

The passive

part |1 pages

PART B Situations and functions

chapter 19|4 pages

Introductions

chapter 20|9 pages

Greetings and goodbyes

chapter 21|7 pages

Basic strategies for communication

chapter 23|6 pages

Negating information

chapter 24|13 pages

Asking questions and replying to questions

chapter 26|10 pages

Describing people, places, and things

chapter 27|5 pages

Describing how actions are performed

chapter 29|17 pages

Making comparisons

chapter 30|5 pages

Talking about the present

chapter 31|3 pages

Talking about habitual actions

chapter 32|3 pages

Talking about the future

chapter 35|8 pages

Talking about duration and frequency

chapter 36|5 pages

Expressing additional information

chapter 37|4 pages

Expressing contrast

chapter 38|8 pages

Expressing sequence

chapter 39|4 pages

Expressing simultaneous situations

chapter 41|4 pages

Expressing conditions

chapter 43|11 pages

Expressing location and distance

chapter 45|12 pages

Talking about clock time and calendar time

chapter 46|6 pages

Expressing obligations and prohibitions

chapter 47|4 pages

Expressing commands and permission

chapter 48|3 pages

Expressing ability and possibility

chapter 50|6 pages

Expressing knowledge, advice, and opinions

chapter 51|4 pages

Expressing fear, worry, and anxiety

chapter 53|9 pages

Topic, focus, and emphasis

chapter 54|3 pages

Guest and host

chapter 55|2 pages

Giving and responding to compliments

chapter 58|8 pages

Invitations, requests, and refusals

chapter 60|4 pages

Expressing congratulations and good wishes