Customer Reviews

Essential Italian Grammar (Dover Language Guides Essential Grammar)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Olga: I have the 1962 version and it's been back and forth to Italy with me numerous times. It's the clearest most brief summary i have seen. The short 100 page small format book is a natural for those who like to pack light. Take it on the plane and refresh your memory on major verbs, key tenses, agreement patterns, whatever you need to review. Would work equally well as a reference of essential grammar for beginners working with other learning materials.

I love the entire Dover Essential Grammar series, and I actually own most of them. I used Ragusa's Essential Italian Grammar in my language preparation for a trip to Italy last year, and it works extremely well.

It isn't going to teach you enough vocabulary for true facility with the language, of course, but that isn't its function -- it's meant to encapsulate all the basic grammar of the language in a very clear and concise form. Because of its size, I was able to go through it numerous times -- and each time, a little bit more sticks. A far superior approach to going through a large, padded, overly wordy grammar full of redundant exercises and dialogues just once. It also works very well as a quick reference guide which you can easily and quickly open up to precisely what you need to refresh yourself on.

It goes without saying that you're still going to need a good dictionary or other book(s) to help you acquire vocabulary. But for the basic grammar, this one slim volume is all you really need.

if you want to know how to speak italian, this is the guide for you. you'll learn about italian grammar in easy to understand and concise language.

A great book to get extra practice with for serious students. It explains things in an easy way to understand. Don't forget that PRATICA, RIPETIZIONE, and PAZIENZA will be the winning combination to learn this musical language!

If you want a good reference book for Italian grammar, this is the one to buy. Ragusa manages to get lots of information on every page with no wasted space or words. Also, and very important to me, she gives literal translations as well as common usage for those who are trying to learn the lanuage. I just wish the book would be updated. You will find "egli" for he and other outdated words. That's like using "thou" in English. "Egli" hasn't been used in decades. Still, if you are interested in an excellent book on grammar, this is the one to have.

Just by glancing at it I realized that this book is not only useful for students of Italian, beginners or ohterwise, it serves me in my reversed translation also. A nice by-utility to have.

This review book is excellent. Most books concentrate on travle related phrases which you must memorize and PRAY that you remember. If you want to learn Italian stay away from travel books. They really do not work becuase the nature of the language is not explored- just sentences to help you find the bathroom or order food. My travel to Italy is both family and business related so I have had to spruce up my Italian. I carry it with me everywhere and while I have time I read, re-read and work on my language skills. I have also used it to teach others. What is nice is that she covers every topic, translates the entire sentence literally- in the order of the Italian language and then provides the English equalivent. Because of the ordering of words is so different (pronouns, negations etc..) it may be difficult for someone to grasp the learning of Italian. Other books simply give the phrase and then translate it but the ordering of words is out of whack. Sometimes the meanings are changed! This book is clear, easy to follow and easy to take with you. When I taught my husband I used the following- Italian in 10 minutes a day ( to reduce the fear factor and make it smooth) then Michel Thomas's tapes (they work), a good verb book, dictionary and the Idiots Guide... Worth it!

This book is fantastic if you need help with grammar, but be warned, you will get nothing but grammar out of this book. Do not order this book unless you need help with grammar. In the event that you do need help with grammar, this book will help you all the way through. Its perfect for perfecting those newly learned Italian skills or simply brushing up on the language.

I love this reference guide. It's perfect for the beginner or intermediate learner of Italian.

Essential Grammar is tremendously helpful, but don't expect to sit down and simply read it. It's a great supplement for those attempting to learn Italian who are taking courses or using audio trainers. Especially if you are using audio trainers, this helps fill the holes as to certain conjugations or particular usages of pronouns, articles etc. I crack it open every day and read different sections or review certain rules of speech I don't yet have clear in my mind.

I think if you get a good phrase book/dictionary, an audio course and "Essential Italian Grammar," you can prepare yourself to learn conversational italian without ever setting foot in a classroom.