Customer Reviews

Essential German Grammar

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a clearly written introduction to the complexities of German grammar. It takes the language apart bit by bit (or problem by problem) so that it never becomes threatening or overwhelming. The book is targeted at English speakers who have begun to learn German by a phrase approach or by listening to tapes, and have already mastered some basic phrases and vocabulary. It is an excellent supplement to self-study by tapes or books, or a refresher for those who learned some German in school years ago and are looking to brush up on their grammar. I am an American living in Germany and attempting to learn the language, and this is the best tool I've found for grammar. It was recommended to me by a friend studying at a German university (in German!) as the best on the market. My German tutor now uses it with her other American students as well. And it is even popular among my German friends who are polishing their English grammar!

This book was initially very helpful in my first quarter; however, the "du/ihr" form is omitted from discussion and conjugation of verbs. The author says you will hardly need it as you will mostly be using the formal form of address; HOWEVER, I have not found this to be true. You will hear the du/ihr form all around you and sometimes you will be included in that "ihr". Also, you will hear it on the news and in music lyrics and see it in writing. Even if you don't use "du/ihr" that much in the beginning (always wait for the native speaker to invite you to use "du"), why not learn it from the first rather than later having to go back and try to add it. When I was 12 and started learning Spanish, my teacher told us we didn't have to worry about the "Vosotros" form, but I went ahead and learned anyway and by golly I have used it and needed it.
If you really want to learn German (and not a few phrases or very simple things to say), you will find yourself looking for increasingly comprehensive grammars.

I bought this book with little knowledge of the German language. It's very organized and well thought out. It is for the beginner with a limited amount of time. These 120 some pages contain EVERY BASIC thing you would need to learn about German grammar. I wouldnt recommend using this book alone. I use language tapes with this book. A downfall is it doesnt show how to pronounce the words. But otherwise, there is no other book for a beginner to use to grasp a basic understanding of the German language than "Essential German Grammar" --Peace Out

Only with this book at hand, should you dare to study German. The ultimate reference guide, especially for those using textbooks for German classes that seem more concerned about German culture and glossy pages than thorough explanation of grammar. Forget if a preposition is dative or accusative ? ... EGG is here to help. Thank you Guy Stern and E.F> Bleiler.

This book is an excellent compilation of German Grammer. I have used it extensively in the three years I have been studying the language. Its compact and easy layout are wonderful when you need to find information on any sort of grammer snafu. I heartily recommend it to anyone.

this book truly deserves five stars. all the other reviews are right on. it is an incredibly helpful piece of art. of course you can't expect this book to be the only one you'll need to learn german, but without it you'll more than likely find yourself drowning in a pool of confusing grammatical terms, having to go back and read the same sentence over and over until you understand it. this is one of the books, however, where you can read a page in one, clean sweep and understand it clearly. A+ for using the Rechtschreibreform, (the new german spelling reform) but i don't understand how it does so when it was written in the 60s.......

if you're a beginner or want to brush up, buy this. don't think about it. buy it.

I don't like how this book organizes the nouns into five groups. It's so confusing. My German professor taught me a simpler way of knowing the plural forms of nouns. This book doesn't use the "du" or "ihr" forms, and it doesn't use the ß.

Brandon Simpson

This book has helped me understand a lot of the intricacies of the German language. Based on that I would say it is a very worthy purchase for one to have. But, it is not a book written for those who are not fluent on grammatical technical terms. I found myself a little lost at times, when the author would very non-challantly explain that something was just a matter of the "subjunctive predicative to the second power of the reversed megablaster future tense"...I know, I'm just joking, but I'm sure some of the readers understand what I mean.
Having said that, I still say it is a good book for students of German such as myself. You'll just have to dust off your grammar lingo, that's all!

I have used several German language resources to try to get a handle on this imposing language.

I found this book to be less helpful than Harrap's German Pocket Grammar, which I much prefer. Part of my preference is that more material is covered in more depth in Harrap's. One example: prepositions are covered in 3 pages in Essential German Grammar and while Harrap's devotes 21 pages even though Essential describes prepositions as "much more complex in their use than [...] English prepositions.

Harrap's also is a nice small size which is easier to carry.

Clearly written, compact and concise. This book explains all the essentials of German grammar in easy to understand terms. This is a great refresher for those who already have learned some German.