Essential Italian Grammar (Paperback)

by Olga Ragusa (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Very useful manual presents all the Italian really needed in everyday life and contemporary situations, without trivia or archaic material. Clearly presented with many shortcuts and timesavers, it is an ideal supplement to a phrase or record course, and the most efficient system for adults with limited learning time.

Product Details

• Paperback: 111 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (June 1, 1963)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 048620779X
• ISBN-13: 978-0486207797
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,985 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars classic, May 25, 2001

By	"p_walters" (Palo Alto, Ca. USA) - See all my reviews

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.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only grammar book you really need, December 22, 2006

By	Jason Fisher (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars priceless book!, September 18, 2004

By	Jessica "Buck II" (TX) - See all my reviews

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.