Modern Standard Arabic Grammar, Revised and Updated: A Comprehensive Reference and Guide

by Mohammad T. Alhawary

Overview

This comprehensive guide to Arabic grammar is an essential resource for the first five years of language learning and beyond, now in a revised edition

Thorough and carefully organized, this book covers all the basic structures and grammar that students need for the first five years of learning Modern Standard Arabic, from beginner through to advanced proficiency levels.

- Filled with diagrams, tables, and examples for ease of learning
- Provides straightforward explanations of the all the key grammar points, avoiding overly jargonistic language
- Presents grammar rules and structures in order of frequency and communicative functional use

Already a time-proven favorite among students and teachers alike, this classic book now has a new chapter as well as updates and new material throughout.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781649034038
Publisher:	American University in Cairo Press, The
Publication date:	02/24/2026
Pages:	440
Product dimensions:	6.75(w) x 9.50(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Mohammad T. Alhawary is professor of Arabic linguistics and second language acquisition at the University of Michigan, where he is also director of its MA degree in Arabic for Professional Purposes (APP) and Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language (TAFL). He is the editor of Al-‘Arabiyya journal and of the Journal of Arabic Linguistics Tradition (JALT), as well as the author of numerous books, journal articles, and book chapters in the field of Arabic language and linguistics.

Editorial Reviews

"A well-balanced comprehensive grammar book covering phonological, morphological and syntactic features of Arabic. Fresh material, comprehensive examples, and helpful Arabic-English comparisons that make learning Arabic grammar easy and straightforward."—Hanada A. Al-Masri, Cornell University

“This book is a significant contribution to the field of Arabic language learning and teaching, serving as a valuable resource for both students and educators. It provides a concise, systematic, and accessible presentation of Arabic grammatical principles. The book is indispensable for students of Arabic, as it methodically and progressively addresses fundamental concepts in Arabic grammar. It is highly recommended as a primary reference for grammar instruction in the Arabic language classroom.”—Brahim Chakrani, Michigan State University

"Unlike many books on Arabic grammar, Alhawary's deals with the grammatical topics in much more useful details. The sequence of presentation of the topics is nicely designed from the more basic and frequent to the less basic and frequent, using the communicative functions. This text will be of great help as a pedagogical guide of all the basic structures and grammar of the Arabic Language needed in the first 4-5 years of learning the language, i.e. from the novice to advanced levels."—Adel Gamal, University of Arizona

"I consider this book a valuable addition to the few Arabic grammar books available in the field of Arabic language and linguistics. It is a concise Arabic grammar book that will be welcomed by students and teachers of Arabic because it includes a systematic presentation of key Arabic grammar topics combining intuitive modern and traditional approaches in describing and analyzing Arabic structures. It is an excellent source for use in Arabic grammar courses and also to complement Arabic textbooks used in Arabic language courses."—Raji Rammuny, University of Michigan

"Modern Standard Arabic Grammar is an exceptional and comprehensive guide, a must-have for anyone serious about learning or teaching Modern Standard Arabic. It meticulously covers Arabic's essential structures and grammar rules, making it invaluable for learners at all levels, from beginners to advanced. Designed with both students and instructors in mind, the book provides straightforward explanations and multiple examples to reinforce learning. It uses symbols, tables, and diagrams to make complex grammar rules easy to understand and remember."—Abdulkareem Said Ramadan, Gettysburg College

From the Publisher