Outline of Hindi Grammar: With Exercises

By R.S. McGregor

Book Overview

This book has a twofold purpose: first to provide a concise presentation of the essential grammar of modern Hindi, with graded exercises, which brings beginners as quickly as possible to the point where they can read modern prose with profit; and secondly, to serve as reference for those consolidating their grasp of the language. It is therefore, of interest to students beginning courses in Hindi and those who have already learned some. People planning to visit India for business of pleasure will also find it useful, as colloquial vocabulary and style receive equally detailed attention as the more formal written style. The material is presented in roman transliteration as well as in the Indian script, so that the beginner can work through the book unimpeded by script problems, while still enjoying the advantage of contact with the script from the outset. Additions to the third edition include a new set of listening and reading exercises and grammatical index. Available for the first time there are two accompanying cassettes containing the complete Hindi text of the original exercises together with the newly added exercises. Revised and updated, available for the first time with accompanying cassettes.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0198700075
• ISBN13: 9780198700074
• Release Date: May 1996
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.96 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.4" x 1.0" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

Great Grammar/Reference Book

This book is great for a reference grammar of Hindi. It covers most major grammar points covered in most 1st and 2nd year Hindi Courses. One thing I noticed about this book, is you should have another book thoroughly explaining all grammatical concetps and use this one merely for more examples and as a refernce. This book is somewhat dense and tries to briefly cover SEVERAL topics of Hindi grammar. Another great thing about this book is it is the ONLY book I know of that transliterates from Pg 1 and never stops. The entire book shows script and then the transliteration right beside it. This is especially good for someone who wants to pick up some grammar and/or vocabulary etc, but is having trouble with the script. Lastly if you are already well versed in Hindi grammar, as I am, then this book is a great addition to your Hindi Language materials collection :)

Excellent summary of Hindi grammar

McGregor presents a really coherent summary of Hindi grammar, though it is a more formal grammar than most people actually speak. The approach is very academic, which means it wouldn't necessarily be the book for many people to start with. On the whole, however, I like it better than any of the other books I have used, including Landour.

An academic approach

I've been using this 294 page book in a class. Technically it seems to be good, but it is hard to learn from. (Maybe I'm just getting too old to have the language facility I once had?) The title is accurate it calling it an "outline;" the information is densely packed. It requires careful and repeated reading to understand. It illustrates each point by only a few short examples. It introduces and uses the devanagari script from the beginning, with transliterations. I think that one could learn everything else without learning the script. I am already familiar with the script, and want to improve my reading ability, so I am happy with the constant use of devanagari. Those who need to learn the script together with the vocabulary and grammar may find it more challenging. The text describes pronunciations in terms of the Queen's English, and it is confusing to those who don't speak that dialect. My teacher doesn't seem to pronounce everything the way it is described in the book. A tape is available, but I have not made much use of it yet, as it relates to specific exercises in the book. Studying with this book seems to be a slow start. It would be excellent for someone who wants to review and improve a language already partially acquired. I'm looking for something that makes the language feel more accessible.