Essential Italian Grammar: Teach Yourself

Is this the right book for me?

Essential Italian Grammar is an up-to-date introduction to Italian grammar. You don''t need to know a lot about grammar before you start. Everything is explained simply and there are lots of examples to illustrate each point. Unlike more traditional grammars, Essential Italian Grammar is structured so that you can look up language forms according to what you want to say, even if you don''t know the grammatical term for them. If you already know some grammar, then you can use the ''reference grammar'' section at the back of the book to look up the points you need.

The course consists of 22 units illustrating the various uses to which the language can be put: for example, giving instructions or talking about the recent past. The more traditional reference grammar deals with grammatical structures, such as the imperative or the perfect tense. All grammatical terms are explained in the glossary at the back of the book. Each unit contains exercises for you to practise what you have learnt and there is a key at the back of the book for you to check your answers. The new page design in this edition means that the book is even easier to use and the main headings are in English so that you can find your way around the book quickly. This edition contains a ''taking it further'' section which will direct you to further sources of real Italian.

Essential Italian Grammar will help you to understand and manipulate Italian grammar with confidence because:
- you need no prior knowledge of grammatical terminology to use it
- the approach is accessible and supportive
- the examples are clear and in context
- exercises help you practise every point


Essential Italian Grammar includes:

Chapter 1: Asking for and giving personal information
Chapter 2: Identifying people and things
Chapter 3: Asking about availability
Chapter 4: Talking about location
Chapter 5: Stating choice and preference
Chapter 6: Talking about the present
Chapter 7: Talking about routine and habits
Chapter 8: Talking about possibility and asking permission
Chapter 9: Giving orders and instructions
Chapter 10: Talking about possession
Chapter 11: Talking about events and actions in the past
Chapter 12: Describing the past
Chapter 13: Talking about the Future
Chapter 14: Talking about wants and preferences
Chapter 15: Describing processes and procedures
Chapter 16: Talking about likes and dislikes
Chapter 17: Asking for and giving an opinion
Chapter 18: Expressing obligation and need
Chapter 19: Expressing emotions and uncertainty
Chapter 20: Expressing wishes or polite requests
Chapter 21: Expressing regrets
Chapter 22: Expressing conditions


Learn effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and interactive features:

Not got much time?
One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started.

Author insights
Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author''s many years of experience.

Test yourself
Easy to find and learn, to build a solid foundation for speaking.

End-of-unit summaries and online tests
Summaries and tests to help you keep track of your progress.

Extend your knowledge
Extra online articles to give you a richer understanding of the culture and history of Italy.