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Essential Italian Grammar
In this very useful manual, Dr. Ragusa has presented all the Italian really needed in everyday life and contemporary situations, without devoting space to the intricacies of literary, archaic, and poetic forms that you are not likely to need.
It is remarkable how readily Italian grammar lends itself to this form of essential grammar, for within this book Miss Ragusa has presented her material with such clarity that you will probably remember most of what you have read after a single reading. Among the unusual features of this presentation are an extremely clear statement of the complex pronoun situation, an easily followed analysis of the various verb tenses and moods, and a most useful discussion of the many verb idioms that are so important in Italian.
All the major aspects of Italian grammar are presented in logical, developmental vocabulary, vocabulary building, word order, turning negative sentences into positive and vice versa, forming questions, nouns, articles, prepositions, adjectives, adverbs, verbs, verbal idioms, and whatever else is necessary to a knowledge of essential Italian. An appendix contains clear definitions of all the grammatical terms used in the book.
Essential Italian Grammar is not a simplified grammar, not an abridged grammar, but a selected grammar for adult use, with emphasis upon explanation rather than rote memory, and with inclusion of much phrase material for examples. It can be used as a supplement to a course, as an introduction, or as a refresher for those who have already studied Italian.
It is remarkable how readily Italian grammar lends itself to this form of essential grammar, for within this book Miss Ragusa has presented her material with such clarity that you will probably remember most of what you have read after a single reading. Among the unusual features of this presentation are an extremely clear statement of the complex pronoun situation, an easily followed analysis of the various verb tenses and moods, and a most useful discussion of the many verb idioms that are so important in Italian.
All the major aspects of Italian grammar are presented in logical, developmental vocabulary, vocabulary building, word order, turning negative sentences into positive and vice versa, forming questions, nouns, articles, prepositions, adjectives, adverbs, verbs, verbal idioms, and whatever else is necessary to a knowledge of essential Italian. An appendix contains clear definitions of all the grammatical terms used in the book.
Essential Italian Grammar is not a simplified grammar, not an abridged grammar, but a selected grammar for adult use, with emphasis upon explanation rather than rote memory, and with inclusion of much phrase material for examples. It can be used as a supplement to a course, as an introduction, or as a refresher for those who have already studied Italian.
128 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1963
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 6, 2017
Really useful guide to Italian grammar. Very compact but dense; there's no fluff found here. It is hard to tell if some of the politeness conventions are out of date or not, but at least 90% of what is contained is still applicable.
Would have appreciated a pronunciation guide - for example, is Che pronounced with a "k" sound or "ch" sound? (I think it's pronounced like "que" but I'm still not sure)
Some of the section on Verbs gets really hard to follow if you're not a grammar expert. Ragusa always gives an explanation, but it's still easy to get lost among the numerous tenses and conjugations. But most of the book is easy enough to follow even if you have a hard time with grammatical vocabulary.
I intend to read through again after I've learned more.
Would have appreciated a pronunciation guide - for example, is Che pronounced with a "k" sound or "ch" sound? (I think it's pronounced like "que" but I'm still not sure)
Some of the section on Verbs gets really hard to follow if you're not a grammar expert. Ragusa always gives an explanation, but it's still easy to get lost among the numerous tenses and conjugations. But most of the book is easy enough to follow even if you have a hard time with grammatical vocabulary.
I intend to read through again after I've learned more.
November 25, 2019
Excellent succinct review
I already spoke 5 languages and picked up Italian on my own. This book was ideal for me. Giving you the framework and rules to form phrases and express yourself in Italian. Excellent to read from cover to cover and for refreshing weak areas. Love it. Succinct and to the point with logical progression
I already spoke 5 languages and picked up Italian on my own. This book was ideal for me. Giving you the framework and rules to form phrases and express yourself in Italian. Excellent to read from cover to cover and for refreshing weak areas. Love it. Succinct and to the point with logical progression
January 28, 2022
Not enough material, examples and content.
The last half of this book is about the definition of grammar terms in english and a huge catalog of other books. It seems that this part takes a disproportionate amount of space. The First half goes in to italian grammar, but it is very concise and with few examples. Many tables are small pictures that the reader have to expand and the material can not be highlighted in the tables. The book is in general a miss opportunity and left you somehow disappointed, however, it can be used as a quick reference.
The last half of this book is about the definition of grammar terms in english and a huge catalog of other books. It seems that this part takes a disproportionate amount of space. The First half goes in to italian grammar, but it is very concise and with few examples. Many tables are small pictures that the reader have to expand and the material can not be highlighted in the tables. The book is in general a miss opportunity and left you somehow disappointed, however, it can be used as a quick reference.
November 26, 2024
En essència era el que buscava des de feia temps: una gramàtica bàsica d'italià per a poder conèixer els trets idiosincràtics que el distingeixen de les altres llengües romàniques que parlo i que conec. Ara bé, potser hauria estat més convenient per a aquest propòsit una gramàtica comparada de català-italià o castellà-italià (o fins i tot de francès-italià o portuguès-italià), perquè moltes de les diferències ressaltades respecte de l'anglès no tenen cap mena de complicació per a un catalanoparlant ni un castellanoparlant. D'altra banda, he notat que hi havia algun aspecte obsolet, en el sentit que en la taula del sistema de pronoms italià en donava preferència a alguns que avui dia no són els estàndards o, si més no, els més comuns en la llengua oral ni escrita, amb la qual cosa no me n'he acabat de refiar del tot. L'apartat dels verbs ha estat tan exhaustiva que m'ha fet desencantar-me de la lectura unes quantes setmanes, i mira que el llibre com a tal és curt. De tota manera, en conjunt, llegir aquesta gramàtica ha estat un primer acostament satisfactori a l'idioma italià.
February 26, 2025
Does one ever "finish" with grammar?
If you want practice exercises, you will need to look elsewhere.
I love this book! Unlike the grammar workbooks that are heavy tomes, this book is portable and easy to digest. Also, it's not visually overwhelming -- as so many of the modern language learning books are.
If you want practice exercises, you will need to look elsewhere.
I love this book! Unlike the grammar workbooks that are heavy tomes, this book is portable and easy to digest. Also, it's not visually overwhelming -- as so many of the modern language learning books are.
June 1, 2019
A simple, but well executed book. Based on other Italian instruction, I would not follow guidance to use Loro forms for "formal" plural second person, but no harm in being familiar!
Will have to review future and conditional forms again very soon!
Will have to review future and conditional forms again very soon!
July 17, 2008
This appears to be a fantastic reference that clearly covers grammatical rules in the Italian language. If only I'd had so thorough a study of English grammar! I strongly recommend owning this book to ANYONE learning Italian.
July 7, 2009
Bought it before going to italy with the intent of mastering the language. Hah! I did however pick up the grammar and learn better pronunciation.
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August 10, 2013Time to refresh...
December 15, 2013
Mi sbagliero' ancora con il congiuntivo...
August 12, 2014
Read within a month period. Will be referring to in the future. Currently making anki cards.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews