From the PREFACE. In the preparation of this Grammar it has been my object to make as short a statement of principles as is consistent with perfect plainness. While intending to omit nothing essential, I have endeavored to gain space and make the student's work easier by short and clear statement, and by omitting many details which really give little or no assistance in reading German. The ability to read German is, in my opinion, of far more importance than the ability to speak it, though when an extended course in German ...
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From the PREFACE. In the preparation of this Grammar it has been my object to make as short a statement of principles as is consistent with perfect plainness. While intending to omit nothing essential, I have endeavored to gain space and make the student's work easier by short and clear statement, and by omitting many details which really give little or no assistance in reading German. The ability to read German is, in my opinion, of far more importance than the ability to speak it, though when an extended course in German can be given, attention should of course also be paid to the spoken language. It is believed that this book can be used with advantage by all students who are sufficiently advanced not to be troubled by the common grammatical terms, though it was originally planned only for college students. I have throughout avoided useless technicalities of language. The illustrative examples and also the exercises have been purposely made to contain simple and common words which occur often in ordinary prose. The exercises can of course easily be increased by the teacher, if more are desired. The rules for the order of words are given as occasion arises, and illustrated in the exercises, and a brief summary is given later for convenience of reference. It is hoped that this subject has thus been made easier for the student. The German constructions which differ so slightly from English as not to occasion difficulty in reading have received less attention; in my opinion these can be best learned by practice in reading and in translating into German. Such practice in translation into German might profitably follow the study of the grammar; but reading German need not be so long delayed. I feel sure that the best results come from beginning to read early, and beginning as soon as possible practice in reading at sight, which is of course made easier by some knowledge of the methods of derivation of words. This gives, too, a kind of training which the study of a language ought to give. The grammars I have consulted most are Whitney's, Ahn's, and Otto's, in English, and Heyse's in German. I have also made frequent reference to Sanders's large lexicon.... In conclusion, I wish to express my thanks to the professors of the German department, and others who have given me encouragement and assistance. I am under especial obligations to Dr. Emerton, now connected with the department of History in this University, from whom I have received many valuable suggestions. -"Harvard University, July," 1879.
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