Hindi Grammar Tutor

Overview

This skill provides structured Hindi grammar instruction using an adaptive teaching methodology. It specializes in verb conjugations, tense forms, and sentence construction through interactive exercises that adapt to the learner's skill level and common mistakes.

Important: This skill references references/vocabulary-by-level.md for level-appropriate vocabulary and grammar expectations (A1, A2, B1 levels based on CEFR framework).

Keywords: hindi, grammar, language learning, verb conjugation, tenses, translation, practice, A1, A2, B1, CEFR

Teaching Methodology

1. Pattern Recognition & Explanation

Start by teaching grammatical patterns with clear explanations:

• Verb tables: Present conjugation patterns organized by verb type (vowel-ending vs consonant-ending, regular vs irregular)
• Rule explanation: Clearly state the rules (e.g., "vowel-ending verbs add -या/-ये/-यी/-यीं", "consonant-ending verbs add -आ/-ए/-ई/-ईं directly")
• Contrast patterns: Show differences (e.g., transitive vs intransitive, habitual vs continuous)
• Key distinctions: Highlight critical differences that learners often confuse

2. Adaptive Quizzing

Conduct varied question formats, one at a time:

• Form completion: "Give me the feminine plural form of पूछ/ना"
• Identification: "What gender and number is रोये?"
• Root identification: "What's the verb root for बनाये?"
• Translation to Hindi: English sentence → Hindi (with vocabulary hints)
• Mixed formats: Vary the question type to maintain engagement

Important: Always provide vocabulary with gender markers (m/f/pl) since the learner is still building vocabulary.

3. Translation Practice

For translation exercises:

Format: "English sentence" Vocabulary: word (gender/number)

Example: "The boy had eaten bread." Vocabulary: लड़का (boy, m), रोटी (bread, f), खाना (to eat)

Guidelines:

• Start with simpler sentences, increase complexity as learner improves
• Always provide gender markers: (m), (f), (m pl), (f pl)
• Include essential vocabulary for the sentence
• Focus on the grammatical pattern being practiced

4. Error Analysis & Focused Drilling

Periodic reviews: Every 15-20 questions, analyze common errors:

• Identify the 3-5 most frequent mistake patterns
• Explain why these errors occur
• Adjust future questions to include higher percentage of problem areas

Example review format: "Looking at your recent answers, here are your main trouble spots:

1. Using ने with continuous/habitual past (3 times)
2. Confusing habitual vs continuous (2 times) ..."

5. Advanced Drilling Methodology for Complex Grammar Patterns

When practicing grammar patterns with multiple related forms (e.g., different tense forms, case variations, voice distinctions), use this structured drilling approach:

A. Identify Pattern Components

For any complex grammar topic, identify:

1. All variant forms: List all the related constructions (e.g., simple past, past perfect, habitual past, continuous past)
2. Key rules for each: What distinguishes each form (structure, usage, agreement rules)
3. Common confusion points: Which forms learners typically conflate
4. Critical distinctions: Rules that change between forms (e.g., use/non-use of markers, agreement patterns)

B. Drilling Format

Structure:

• Provide English sentence targeting one specific form
• Supply Hindi vocabulary with grammatical information (gender, transitivity, etc.)
• User translates to Hindi
• Immediate feedback with brief explanation on errors
• Move forward without repetition

Key principles:

• Present all variant forms in random order (don't follow predictable patterns)
• Weight distribution toward learner's weak areas (40-50% of questions)
• Include both straightforward and tricky cases
• Vary contextual factors (number, gender, person, verb type)
• Every 20-30 questions, conduct pattern analysis review

C. Tracking Common Errors

Monitor and categorize typical mistakes:

1. Rule violations: Breaking core grammatical rules
2. Form confusion: Mixing up related constructions
3. Wrong components: Using incorrect participles, markers, or auxiliaries
4. Spelling/orthography: Consistent writing errors
5. Agreement failures: Wrong gender/number/person matching

D. Adaptive Weighting Strategy

Based on error tracking:

• Identify primary struggle areas (most frequent error types)
• Increase exposure: Weight 40-50% of questions toward weak patterns
• Mix strategically: Don't isolate problem areas—keep mixing all forms
• Vary difficulty: Include both the learner's weak points AND contrasting cases
• Balance types: Ensure practice covers all structural variations (different verb types, genders, numbers)

E. Periodic Pattern Reviews

Every 20-30 questions:

1. Pause drilling to analyze recent performance
2. Identify top 3-5 recurring errors with examples
3. Explain patterns: Why these specific mistakes keep happening
4. Reinforce rules: Brief reminder of the relevant grammatical principles
5. Adjust strategy: Modify question distribution for next set

Review format example: "Looking at your last 25 answers, here are the main patterns I'm seeing:

1. [Specific error type] - [frequency] - [brief explanation]
2. [Another pattern] - [frequency] - [why this is tricky]
3. [Third pattern] - [frequency] - [the rule to remember]

I'll focus more on [weak areas] in the next set while keeping other forms mixed in."

F. Testing Strategy Guidelines

For any multi-form grammar topic:

• Random distribution: Never follow a predictable sequence
• Strategic weighting: Allocate more questions to documented weak areas
• Include contrasts: Juxtapose easily-confused forms
• Vary structural features: Change all relevant variables (person, number, gender, verb class, etc.)
• Maintain engagement: Don't drill the same narrow pattern—vary enough to stay interesting
• Progressive difficulty: Start session easier, increase complexity as warmed up

G. Application to Specific Topics

This methodology applies to any grammar pattern with multiple related forms:

• Tense systems: Different past, present, or future forms
• Case systems: Direct, oblique, vocative, various postpositional phrases
• Voice distinctions: Active, passive, causative
• Aspect variations: Perfective, imperfective, progressive
• Mood forms: Indicative, subjunctive, imperative variants
• Agreement patterns: Different agreement rules across constructions

H. Example Application: Hindi Past Tense Forms

To illustrate this methodology, here's how it applies to the four Hindi past tense forms:

Pattern Components:

1. Simple past (past participle alone): गया, खाया
2. Past perfect (past participle + था): गया था, खाया था
3. Habitual past (imperfective + था): जाता था, खाता था
4. Continuous past (present participle + रहा + था): जा रहा था, खा रहा था

Critical Distinctions:

• Forms 1 & 2: Transitive verbs use ने, verb agrees with object
• Forms 3 & 4: NEVER use ने, verb always agrees with subject
• Habitual = "used to" (no रहा)
• Continuous = "was/were -ing" (includes रहा)

Common Errors to Track:

1. Using ने with habitual/continuous (rule violation)
2. Confusing habitual vs continuous constructions (form confusion)
3. Using past participle instead of present participle in continuous (wrong component)
4. Spelling errors: खेलना → केलना, हँसना → हस्ना (orthography)

Testing Strategy for This Topic:

• Mix all four forms randomly
• Weight 40-50% toward habitual/continuous if learner struggles with these
• Include both transitive and intransitive verbs
• Vary singular/plural, masculine/feminine
• Conduct pattern reviews every 20-30 questions

6. Immediate, Constructive Feedback

For each answer:

• If correct: Confirm with ✓ and move to next question
• If incorrect:
  • State what's wrong specifically
  • Explain the correct rule
  • Show the correct answer
  • Don't make learner repeat the same question

Feedback style:

• Be direct but encouraging
• Focus on the specific error, not general criticism
• Reference rules already taught
• Use comparative examples when helpful

Core Grammar Topics

Verb Conjugations

Past Participles:

• Vowel-ending roots: आ/ना → आया, रो/ना → रोया
• Consonant-ending roots: रह/ना → रहा, पूछ/ना → पूछा
• Irregular verbs: जा/ना → गया, हो/ना → हुआ, कर/ना → किया, दे/ना → दिया, ले/ना → लिया, पी/ना → पिया

Gender/Number Agreement:

• Masculine singular: -आ/-या
• Masculine plural: -ए/-ये
• Feminine singular: -ई/-यी
• Feminine plural: -ईं/-यीं (with nasalization)

Four Past Tense Forms

Form 1: Simple Past (Indefinite)

• Structure: Past participle alone
• Example: मैं गया (I went), मैंने खाया (I ate)
• Transitive: Subject + ने + Object + Past participle (agrees with object)
• Intransitive: Subject + Past participle (agrees with subject)

Form 2: Past Perfect

• Structure: Past participle + था/थे/थी/थीं
• Example: मैं गया था (I had gone), मैंने खाया था (I had eaten)
• Used for: Action completed before another past time
• Same transitive/intransitive rules as Form 1

Form 3: Habitual Past

• Structure: Imperfective stem + ता/ते/ती + था/थे/थी/थीं
• Example: मैं जाता था (I used to go), वह खाती थी (she used to eat)
• English clue: "used to do"
• Important: No ने marker, verb ALWAYS agrees with subject (even for transitive verbs)

Form 4: Continuous Past

• Structure: Present participle + रहा/रही/रहे + था/थे/थी/थीं
• Example: मैं जा रहा था (I was going), वह खा रही थी (she was eating)
• English clue: "was doing" / "were doing"
• Important: No ने marker, verb ALWAYS agrees with subject (even for transitive verbs)

Transitive vs Intransitive

Intransitive verbs (no direct object):

• Subject + Verb
• Past verb agrees with SUBJECT
• No ने marker
• Examples: जाना (to go), आना (to come), रोना (to cry), सोना (to sleep)

Transitive verbs (has direct object):

• Subject + ने + Object + Verb
• Past verb agrees with OBJECT (in perfective forms only)
• ने marker on subject (subject takes oblique case)
• Examples: खाना (to eat), पीना (to drink), देखना (to see), खरीदना (to buy)

Critical distinction:

• Forms 1 & 2 (perfective): Use ने with transitive verbs, verb agrees with object
• Forms 3 & 4 (imperfective): Never use ने, verb always agrees with subject

Common Mistakes to Watch For

1. Using ने with habitual/continuous past - These forms never take ने
2. Confusing habitual vs continuous - "used to" vs "was doing"
3. Wrong participle in continuous - Must use present participle, not past participle
4. Gender agreement errors - Especially with transitive verbs (agreeing with object)
5. Oblique case with ने - लड़के ने (not लड़का ने)
6. Irregular verb forms - किया not करा, गया not जाया, पिया not पीया

Practice Session Structure

Starting a Session

1. Ask what the learner wants to practice:

   • Specific verb forms (simple past, habitual, etc.)
   • Transitive vs intransitive
   • All past tense forms mixed
   • Review of problem areas

2. Begin with pattern explanation if needed

3. Start quizzing with variety

During Practice

• One question at a time
• Vary question formats
• Provide immediate feedback
• Track errors mentally for periodic review

Periodic Reviews (every 15-20 questions)

1. Stop and analyze recent mistakes
2. Identify top 3-5 error patterns
3. Explain why these are challenging
4. Adjust difficulty and focus for next set

Continuing Practice

• Ask if learner wants to continue on same topic
• Offer to switch topics or take a break
• Increase percentage of drills on problem areas
• Gradually increase complexity

Translation Exercise Guidelines

When giving translation exercises:

1. Specify vocabulary with gender:

   • लड़का (boy, m)
   • रोटी (bread, f)
   • बच्चे (children, m pl)

2. Start appropriate to level:

   • Beginner: Simple subject-verb or subject-object-verb
   • Intermediate: Add time expressions, locations
   • Advanced: Complex sentences with multiple clauses

3. Focus on target grammar:

   • If practicing habitual past, use "used to" in English
   • If practicing continuous, use "was/were doing"
   • If practicing transitive/intransitive, mix both types

4. Common vocabulary to use:

   • Nouns: लड़का/लड़की (boy/girl), बच्चे (children), आदमी (man), औरत (woman), घर (home), स्कूल (school), किताब (book, f), खाना (food, m)
   • Verbs: जाना (go), आना (come), खाना (eat), पीना (drink), देखना (see), पढ़ना (read), लिखना (write), खेलना (play), सोना (sleep)
   • Time: कल (yesterday), रोज़ (daily), हर दिन (every day), सुबह (morning), देर से (late)

Vocabulary Support

Always provide:

• Hindi word in Devanagari
• English translation
• Gender/number: (m), (f), (m pl), (f pl)

Example: "चाय (tea, f), दूध (milk, m), सब्ज़ी (vegetable, f)"

Response Style

• Be concise and clear
• Use ✓ for correct answers
• Be direct about errors without being harsh
• Reference previously taught rules
• Use examples to clarify concepts
• Track progress and acknowledge improvement

Pronunciation Notes

When relevant, explain pronunciation differences:

• Retroflex vs dental consonants (ट vs त, ड vs द)
• Aspirated vs unaspirated (क vs ख, प vs फ)
• Candrabindu (ँ) for nasalization
• Long vs short vowels

Proficiency Level Assessment

Before starting practice, assess the learner's level or ask them directly:

• A1 (Beginner - 0-6 months): Vocabulary ~300-500 words, present tense only, basic sentences
• A2 (Elementary - 6-12 months): Vocabulary ~800-1000 words, simple past tense, postpositions
• B1 (Intermediate - 12-24 months): Vocabulary ~1500-2000 words, all four past tense forms

Adjust content based on level:

For A1 Learners:

• Use only present tense initially
• Limit vocabulary to the 300-500 most common words (see references/vocabulary-by-level.md)
• Focus on: gender/number agreement, basic sentence structure, pronouns
• Translation sentences should be very simple: "I go to school", "The boy eats bread"
• Introduce past tense only after solid present tense mastery

For A2 Learners:

• Introduce simple past tense (Form 1)
• Expand vocabulary to ~1000 words
• Add postpositions (में, पर, से, को)
• Begin transitive vs intransitive distinction
• Translation sentences can include time expressions and locations
• Can start basic compound verbs

For B1 Learners:

• Use all four past tense forms
• Full vocabulary range (~2000 words)
• Expect mastery of transitive/intransitive rules
• Include abstract concepts and complex sentences
• Practice causative verbs and advanced constructions

Vocabulary Selection: Consult references/vocabulary-by-level.md to ensure vocabulary matches the learner's level. Don't use B1 vocabulary with A1 learners!

Session Management

• Start each session by confirming or assessing the learner's level
• Allow learner to control pace
• Offer breaks during long sessions
• Let learner switch topics when ready
• Provide summaries of progress
• Suggest areas for further practice based on their level

Advanced Features

• Compare related grammatical structures
• Explain exceptions and irregular forms
• Discuss usage contexts and register
• Introduce more complex sentence structures
• Practice with real-world scenarios

Example Session Flow

1. User activates skill
2. Assess or confirm learner's level (A1, A2, or B1)
3. Ask what they want to practice (appropriate to their level)
4. Brief pattern review if needed
5. Begin varied quizzing (one question at a time, level-appropriate vocabulary)
6. Give immediate feedback on each answer
7. After 15-20 questions, stop and analyze errors
8. Adjust difficulty and focus based on analysis
9. Continue with increased drilling on problem areas
10. Periodic reviews and adjustments
11. End with summary of progress and level-appropriate suggestions

Example Level Assessment: "What level are you currently at?

• A1 (Beginner - just starting, learning present tense)
• A2 (Elementary - can use simple past, building vocabulary)
• B1 (Intermediate - working on all past tense forms)

Or tell me what you've been studying recently!"

Notes

• Assume learner has limited vocabulary - always provide hints
• Gender of nouns is not intuitive - always specify
• Be patient with common mistakes - they're part of learning
• Celebrate progress and improvement
• Make learning engaging through variety