Hi guys,

So I'm still in the process of figuring out what works best for me, and that involves changing what I'm using, I think. So far I'm using All About Particles and another book called Japanese the Manga Way. However...I've discovered I like AAP better and that due to how it's written, I learn things faster and absorb things from the book at a more rapid pace.

So what I was asking...does anyone know of a grammar book that's laid out like AAP is? Part of me is considering using Manga Way (or...basically any other grammar book) as a reference for what to cover when and using the entries in DOBJG, since those are similar to AAP, and I like it better that way.

Tips/tricks/whatever? =) Even if it is to lecture me for switching for the billionth time. xD

If you like All about particles, you might be interested by this one, written also by Naoko Chino. You can see a preview of the book here :

http://www.scribd.com/doc/39863173/How-t...-Particles

In the same spirit, more complete, I advise strongly a Dictionary of Japanese Grammar. It's not a method, but a very well-organised reference
You can see a preview of this book here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/38763754/A-Dic...se-Grammar

(for the best prices: for naoko chino, Amazon has good prices, I think: for the other one, try benippon.com)

I have all three dictionaries of grammar. =) I really like them, too. I just worry about the order, since it's not exactly the most logical.

Someone (I think Nukemarine?) earlier was talking about doing a spreadsheet of DOBJG (dictionary of basic Japanese grammar) in the JFE order (or another textbook's order) and that's what I'm leaning towards (doing the dictionary in a different order) - just wanted to see if anyone else had suggestions, too. =)

Edit: Ooh, and that particle book is nifty. I'll have to see if Kinokuniya has it when I go down there again.

I'm doing JFE and DOBJG simultaneously at the moment (about 1/2 way through) and I find it's a great combination.

vinniram Wrote:I'm doing JFE and DOBJG simultaneously at the moment (about 1/2 way through) and I find it's a great combination.

Are you doing DOBJG in order, or are you using it to supplement points in JFE? I'm probably going to do something similar, but I'll use Manga Way since it's what I already own, I think.

nohika Wrote:Even if it is to lecture me for switching for the billionth time. xD

Yeah.

If you keep switching you'll stay at the same level for a long time. Stick with one, then move on.

I know, I've been there. I have UBJG, Genki 1, the DJG series, other random Japanese grammar books (Core Words and Phrases, 13 secrets, making sense of japanese), RTK, KM Grammar 2kyu, KO2001...

Yeah it's fun. And you might think that certain explanations are better or that you're learning more from one book than the other. But honestly, the differences are so minute that you're spending more time going through other books (and quite possibly reviewing stuff you already know because they're in different orders) instead of advancing in a single one.

kainzero Wrote:

nohika Wrote:Even if it is to lecture me for switching for the billionth time. xD

Yeah.

If you keep switching you'll stay at the same level for a long time. Stick with one, then move on.

I know, I've been there. I have UBJG, Genki 1, the DJG series, other random Japanese grammar books (Core Words and Phrases, 13 secrets, making sense of japanese), RTK, KM Grammar 2kyu, KO2001...

Yeah it's fun. And you might think that certain explanations are better or that you're learning more from one book than the other. But honestly, the differences are so minute that you're spending more time going through other books (and quite possibly reviewing stuff you already know because they're in different orders) instead of advancing in a single one.

-nods- Thanks, kainzero. =) You're full of good advice. (And I mean this in a sincere way).

I think I'll do DOBJG in..Japanese Manga Way order, I think. And what isn't covered in there I'll make a list of and go through those later/as needed. I won't get to work much since I have finals early next week, but I do enjoy having a plan (always. OCD planner.).

Just gotta stick with it, I think. Lots of time over break, though!

I recommend "A Dictionary of Japanese Particles" and "Japanese Sentence Patterns for Effective Communication." Kodansha produces many good titles.

what is JFE?

Hashiriya Wrote:what is JFE?

It is Japanese for Everyone *click*

nohika Wrote:

vinniram Wrote:I'm doing JFE and DOBJG simultaneously at the moment (about 1/2 way through) and I find it's a great combination.

Are you doing DOBJG in order, or are you using it to supplement points in JFE? I'm probably going to do something similar, but I'll use Manga Way since it's what I already own, I think.

Yep, I'm using it to supplement points from JFE. Doing it in order, I realize, is a bad idea, since you can't understand a lot of the information in the related expressions sections until you've covered all the required points.