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German Grammar
GERMAN GRAMMAR contains the prime essentials of German grammar, presented in a simple, effective manner. It has been widely used as a textbook for those beginning the study of German. It can also be used as a convenient review by those who wish to brush up on their knowledge of the language.In this edition the last eight lessons include exercises printed both in Roman and Fraktur type which provides an opportunity for the reader to practice reading German books printed in Fraktur.The text encourages the student to think in German, rather than translate from German into English. The abundance of German passages and the repetition of words from a small, basic vocabulary will provide facility in composition and conversation. Simplified treatment of noun declensions and complete one-page conjugations of important verbs are outstanding features of GERMAN GRAMMAR.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1940
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 9, 2024
German Grammar ~ Eric V. Greenfield (1968)
I’ve tried several times to read and finish this book (started April 2017) and finally succeeded today (July 2024).
Nun kann ich es auf Deutsch schreiben: Ich habe oft versucht dieses Buch bis zum Ende lesen, und konnte es nicht tun. Es gelingt mir endlich heute dieses verdammte Buch bis zum Ende bringen. Ich bin also ebenso glücklich wie stolz darauf. 😅
This little book is pretty good for those who once knew some German and want a quick review; it is a slender volume, easily portable, and most useful as a quick reference, but it has a few flaws as well. As in many grammar books, in this one, the most difficult constructions are kept off until near the end, and one never finds enough practice with these really to dominate them well. There is a lack of pattern practice drills (not really the object of this book) and so progress is always slower as one makes ones way through the book and tries to hold on to constructions presented earlier that have been given too little space and repetition.
Was man nicht gebraucht, wird verloren.
What is not used, is lost.
I’ve tried several times to read and finish this book (started April 2017) and finally succeeded today (July 2024).
Nun kann ich es auf Deutsch schreiben: Ich habe oft versucht dieses Buch bis zum Ende lesen, und konnte es nicht tun. Es gelingt mir endlich heute dieses verdammte Buch bis zum Ende bringen. Ich bin also ebenso glücklich wie stolz darauf. 😅
This little book is pretty good for those who once knew some German and want a quick review; it is a slender volume, easily portable, and most useful as a quick reference, but it has a few flaws as well. As in many grammar books, in this one, the most difficult constructions are kept off until near the end, and one never finds enough practice with these really to dominate them well. There is a lack of pattern practice drills (not really the object of this book) and so progress is always slower as one makes ones way through the book and tries to hold on to constructions presented earlier that have been given too little space and repetition.
Was man nicht gebraucht, wird verloren.
What is not used, is lost.
April 17, 2011
During 1980-84 I was a teaching assistant with the Philosophy Department of Loyola University Chicago, working toward a Ph.D. Previous graduate work at Union Theological Seminary had been recognized by the Advanced Standing Committee as fulfilling doctoral course requirements, but I still was required to take courses in the department to cover what hadn't been taken in college or seminary.
Although I started the program with a second job outside school, by the second year my only paid work was the assistantship. Although I worked for four professors over those four years, I worked for one of them at least part-time throughout the period. He, a Jesuit, mostly assigned the kind of research and editorial work I could take anywhere--like the beach! Consequently, I spent most of my summers over in SW Michigan at the cottage built by my great-great and great grandparent, a short walk through the woods to the lake. "Building" working approximations of desks and chairs, I was able to work on philosophy while working on a tan.
Towards the end of the program I became serious about the language requirement. Although I'd studied Spanish, French, Latin and German, I'd really learned none of them. For philosophy, a reading knowledge German was the minimal requirement. So, for two summers, with no coursework due, I studied German on the beach, utilizing Greenfield's old Grammar as well as other works intended for self-study.
It was painful. I am incapable of intentional long-term memorization. I'd awake each morning reborn, my mind a blank so far as grammatical rules were concerned. Making up songs helped a bit, great songs like "der, die, das...", and it's possible that the "re-memorization" of the charts became a wee bit easier each day. In any case, I did manage to get to the point of being able to get the gist of nontechnical articles written in the language.
Now, years having past, I'm back pretty much where I started, with a slightly larger vocabulary, some sense of German roots, a couple of ditties and several German self-study books oxidizing on the shelves.
Although I started the program with a second job outside school, by the second year my only paid work was the assistantship. Although I worked for four professors over those four years, I worked for one of them at least part-time throughout the period. He, a Jesuit, mostly assigned the kind of research and editorial work I could take anywhere--like the beach! Consequently, I spent most of my summers over in SW Michigan at the cottage built by my great-great and great grandparent, a short walk through the woods to the lake. "Building" working approximations of desks and chairs, I was able to work on philosophy while working on a tan.
Towards the end of the program I became serious about the language requirement. Although I'd studied Spanish, French, Latin and German, I'd really learned none of them. For philosophy, a reading knowledge German was the minimal requirement. So, for two summers, with no coursework due, I studied German on the beach, utilizing Greenfield's old Grammar as well as other works intended for self-study.
It was painful. I am incapable of intentional long-term memorization. I'd awake each morning reborn, my mind a blank so far as grammatical rules were concerned. Making up songs helped a bit, great songs like "der, die, das...", and it's possible that the "re-memorization" of the charts became a wee bit easier each day. In any case, I did manage to get to the point of being able to get the gist of nontechnical articles written in the language.
Now, years having past, I'm back pretty much where I started, with a slightly larger vocabulary, some sense of German roots, a couple of ditties and several German self-study books oxidizing on the shelves.
December 21, 2012
This book was a treasure for a beginning German student like me. While the approach might not be right for everyone, it was perfect for me. Since German is my third language, I was already familiar with all the terms that Greenfield used throughout the book. Likewise, my love of syntax allowed me to enjoy the structural ground that Greenfield gave the entire book. I would recommended whole-heartedly to any beginning German student, if only to work on the exercises. The only complaint that I can think of is the dated nature of certain nouns used, like "steamship" ... perhaps not the most needed beginning vocabulary.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews