Complete Italian Grammar 2Nd Edition Marcel Danesi Full Chapter

Complete Italian Grammar 2nd Edition
Marcel Danesi
Visit to download the full and correct content document:
https://ebookmass.com/product/complete-italian-grammar-2nd-edition-marcel-danesi/
Complete
Italian Grammar
00_Danesi_i-xiv, 1-260.indd 1 3/1/16 3:44 PM

This page intentionally left blank
Complete
Italian Grammar
PREMIUM SECOND EDITION
Marcel Danesi, PhD

Copyright © 2016 by McGraw-Hill Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be
reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
ISBN: 978-1-25-958773-3
MHID: 1-25-958773-8
The material in this eBook also appears in the print version of this title: ISBN: 978-1-25-958772-6,
MHID: 1-25-958772-X .
eBook conversion by codeMantra

Version 1.0
All trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Rather than put a trademark symbol after every occurrence of a trademarked name, we use names in an editorial fashion
only, and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark. Where such designations appear in this book, they have been printed with
initial caps.
McGraw-Hill Education books are available at special quantity discounts to use as premiums and sales promotions or for use in corporate training programs. To contact a
representative, please visit the Contact Us pages at www.mhprofessional.com.
McGraw-Hill Education Language Lab App
Audio recordings and flash cards are available to support your study of this book. Go to mhlanguagelab.com to access the online version of this application, or to locate links to the
mobile app for iOS and Android devices. More details about the features of the app are available on the inside front and back covers.
TERMS OF USE
This is a copyrighted work and McGraw-Hill Education and its licensors reserve all rights in and to the work. Use of this work is subject to these terms. Except as permitted under
the Copyright Act of 1976 and the right to store and retrieve one copy of the work, you may not decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer, reproduce, modify, create derivative
works based upon, transmit, distribute, disseminate, sell, publish or sublicense the work or any part of it without McGraw-Hill Education’s prior consent. You may use the work
for your own noncommercial and personal use; any other use of the work is strictly prohibited. Your right to use the work may be terminated if you fail to comply with these terms.
THE WORK IS PROVIDED “AS IS.” McGRAW-HILL EDUCATION AND ITS LICENSORS MAKE NO GUARANTEES OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE
ACCURACY, ADEQUACY OR COMPLETENESS OF OR RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED FROM USING THE WORK, INCLUDING ANY INFORMATION THAT CAN BE
ACCESSED THROUGH THE WORK VIA HYPERLINK OR OTHERWISE, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. McGraw-Hill Education and its licensors do not
warrant or guarantee that the functions contained in the work will meet your requirements or that its operation will be uninterrupted or error free. Neither McGraw-Hill Education
nor its licensors shall be liable to you or anyone else for any inaccuracy, error or omission, regardless of cause, in the work or for any damages resulting therefrom. McGraw-Hill
Education has no responsibility for the content of any information accessed through the work. Under no circumstances shall McGraw-Hill Education and/or its licensors be liable
for any indirect, incidental, special, punitive, consequential or similar damages that result from the use of or inability to use the work, even if any of them has been advised of the
possibility of such damages. This limitation of liability shall apply to any claim or cause whatsoever whether such claim or cause arises in contract, tort or otherwise.
“To obtain the downloadable tests/videos
of this eBook, please click here.”
Contents
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xi
1 Nouns and titles 1

Common nouns 1
Gender patterns 5
Spelling adjustments in the plural 7
Mass nouns 10
Proper nouns and titles 11
Grammar in culture 14
2 More about nouns 16

More gender patterns 16
Nouns of Greek origin 18
Other types of nouns 20
Altered nouns 23
Compound nouns 25
3 Articles 29
The indefinite article 29
The definite article 31
Uses of the indefinite article 34
Uses of the definite article 35
4 Adjectives 42
Descriptive adjectives 42
Invariable adjectives 43
Position 45
Form-changing adjectives 48
Comparison of adjectives 53

5 Pronouns 59
Subject pronouns 59
Object pronouns 61
Stressed pronouns 64
Other pronouns 67
6 More pronouns 72
Object pronouns with compound tenses 72
Double pronouns 74
Attached pronouns 76
7 Demonstratives 82
The demonstrative of nearness 82
The demonstrative of farness 83
Demonstrative pronouns 85
Indicating words and expressions 88
8 Possessives 92
Possessive adjective forms 92
The third-person forms 95
Possessives with kinship nouns 97
Possessive pronouns 99
9 Partitives 104
Partitives with count nouns 104
Alternative forms 106
Partitives with mass nouns 108
Partitives in the negative 109
Adjectives indicating quantity 111
10 Present tenses 115

The present indicative of regular verbs 115
Irregular verbs in the present indicative 120
The present subjunctive of regular verbs 122
Irregular verbs in the present subjunctive 126
Special uses of the subjunctive 128
vi Contents

11 Past tenses 132
The present perfect 132
Irregular past participles 137
The past subjunctive 140
The past absolute 142
Irregular verbs in the past absolute 145
12 The imperfect and pluperfect tenses 150

The imperfect indicative 150
The imperfect subjunctive 153
The pluperfect tenses 156
13 The progressive tenses 162

The gerund 162
The present progressive tenses 164
The imperfect progressive tenses 166
14 The future and conditional tenses 171

The future 171
The future perfect 175
The conditional (present and past) 177
Hypothetical sentences 182
15 The imperative 186

Regular forms of the imperative 186
The negative imperative 190
Irregular forms 191
16 Reflexive verbs 196

Forms 196
Compound tenses 199
Imperative forms 201
Contents vii

17 Prepositions and adverbs 206
Prepositional contractions 206
Uses of the prepositions 209
Adverbs of manner 211
Other kinds of adverbs 213
Comparison of adverbs 216
18 Sentences 220
Interrogative sentences 220
Question words 222
Negative sentences 225
Objects 227
Conjunctions and relative pronouns 229
19 Numbers 235
The cardinal numbers 235
Telling time 240
The ordinal numbers 243
Numerical expressions 245
Dates 246
20 Miscellaneous topics 250

The verb piacere 250
The passive and the impersonal si 253
Other topics 256
Irregular verb tables 261

Italian-English glossary 272
English-Italian glossary 279
Answer key 286
viii Contents

Preface
Practice Makes Perfect: Complete Italian Grammar focuses on topics of impor-

tance to intermediate- to advanced-level learners. By concentrating on areas of
grammar for making more complex, meaningful sentences and conversations,
the book is designed to improve the ability to communicate effectively in Italian
at higher levels.
Practice Makes Perfect is, thus, geared toward those who have already learned
the basics of grammar, focusing on topics that consistently need to be practiced in
an in-depth manner by non-beginning learners. The book covers topics that often
prove difficult for English speakers when they learn Italian, such as the correct use
of object pronouns. Numerous practical exercises give students the opportunity
to test what they have learned.
There are twenty chapters covering everything from the formation and use
of nouns to the structure of sentences and clauses. Each chapter is designed to
deal with a topic of grammar as completely as possible.
Each chapter presents the main points related to a topic. Each point is fol-
lowed by an Esercizio. Along the way, information boxes provide further detail
on some topics, offer tips, or introduce related vocabulary. At the back of the book,
there are Italian-English and English-Italian glossaries (containing all the words
and expressions used in the book), irregular verb charts, and the answers to all
the exercises.
This handbook is designed as a reference grammar for intermediate or
advanced learners with a large practice component—there are over 300 distinct
exercise questions consisting of various types and parts. As they say, practice
makes perfect. It can also be used as a textbook in intermediate courses of Italian,
since it contains the same kinds of information and exercises that are normally
found in such courses and in more elaborate formal textbooks. The difference is
that this book takes nothing for granted. As mentioned, it contains many sidebars
throughout to clarify, supplement, or complement a topic. This feature will allow
you to stay within the confines of this single book. You will not need to resort to
other materials. Although it is review grammar, very little has been taken for
granted!
This Premium Second Edition presents several new features. At the end of
each chapter is a Grammar in culture section that links a grammar topic to cul-
ture or usage, with a related exercise. This section underscores the relevance of
grammar to the study of culture.
ix

In addition, extensive support materials are available in the McGraw-Hill Education Lan-
guage Lab app:
◆ Flash cards comprising all vocabulary used in this book
◆ An auto-fill glossary (a digital version of the glossaries at the back of this book)
◆ Audio recordings of the Answer key for exercises with complete-sentence answers in Ital-
ian. With the mobile version of this app, you can record your own answers, then replay
them alongside the native-speaker recordings.
Buon divertimento!
x Preface

Acknowledgments
I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Garret Lemoi of McGraw-Hill for his

superb editing and encouragement, not to mention his wonderful advice. I also
thank Grace Freedson for her support and help. I am truly grateful to her.
xi

Complete
Italian Grammar

Nouns and titles ·1·
Simple Italian sentences, like English sentences, are composed of a subject, a verb,
and an object. The subject consists of a noun or noun phrase. It is what the sen-
tence is about and around which the rest of the sentence revolves. The subject is,
more generally, the performer of some action. Many types of objects also consist
of a noun (or noun phrase). In this case the noun is the person, concept, thing,
etc., toward which the action of the verb is directed or to which a preposition
expresses some relation. This unit and the next one describe nouns.
Mio nipote studia la matematica. My grandson studies math. (subject
noun phrase)
L’amore esiste dappertutto. Love exists everywhere. (subject noun)
Ieri sera io ho chiamato mia nipote. Last night I called my granddaughter.
(object noun phrase)
Lui è un amico caro. He’s a dear friend. (object noun
phrase)
Lei vive in periferia. She lives in the suburbs. (object noun
phrase)
Abbiamo comprato un televisore We bought a plasma TV. (object noun
plasma. phrase)
Nouns can be regular or irregular. Regular ones have predictable endings in
the singular and plural. Nouns are also classified as either common or proper. The
former refer to persons, objects, places, concepts, and all the other things that
make up the world. Proper nouns are the actual names and surnames given to
people, geographical places and formations, brands, and the like.
Common nouns
A common noun can generally be recognized by its vowel ending, which indicates
if it is masculine or feminine. This is called grammatical gender. Gender is impor-
tant because it determines the form of both the articles and adjectives that accom-
pany nouns in sentences and phrases. Generally, nouns ending in -o are masculine.
They are made plural by changing the -o to -i.

MASCULINE SINGULAR MASCULINE PLURAL
figlio son figli sons

gatto cat gatti cats
libro book libri books
ragazzo boy ragazzi boys
zio uncle zii uncles
Nouns ending in -a are generally feminine. They are made plural by changing the -a to -e.
FEMININE SINGULAR FEMININE PLURAL
casa house case houses

figlia daughter figlie daughters
penna pen penne pens
ragazza girl ragazze girls
zia aunt zie aunts
Lastly, nouns ending in -e are either masculine or feminine. This is not an option; gender is
fixed by the grammar of Italian. To find out if a noun ending in -e is masculine or feminine you
will have to consult a dictionary, or else you will have to infer it by observing the form (article,
adjective, etc.) that accompanies it. Such nouns are made plural by changing the -e to -i, no mat-
ter what their gender is.
MASCULINE SINGULAR MASCULINE PLURAL
(il) cane (the) dog (i) cani (the) dogs

(il) cellulare (the) cell phone (i) cellulari (the) cell phones
(il) padre (the) father (i) padri (the) fathers
(il) portatile (the) laptop (i) portatili (the) laptops
FEMININE SINGULAR FEMININE PLURAL
(la) madre (the) mother (le) madri (the) mothers

(la) nazione (the) nation (le) nazioni (the) nations
(la) notte (the) night (le) notti (the) nights
(la) parete (the) wall (partition) (le) pareti (the) walls (partitions)
Here’s a tip. Most nouns ending in -ione, especially in -zione and -sione, are feminine.
la stazione the (train) station
la regione the region
la riunione the meeting
2 practice makes perfect Complete Italian Grammar

Useful common nouns
anno year gonna skirt
giorno day macchina car
vestito dress, suit
casa house chiave (f.) key
cosa thing cognome (m.) surname, family name
cravatta necktie giornale (m.) newspaper
donna woman nome (m.) name
(m. = masculine, f. = feminine)
Common nouns are not capitalized unless they occur at the beginning of a sentence. Unlike
English, nouns referring to languages, speakers of a language, or inhabitants of an area are not
normally capitalized.
L’italiano è una bellissima lingua. Italian is a very beautiful language.
Lui è italiano, ma lei non è italiana. He is Italian, but she is not Italian.
Lui invece è americano, e anche He, instead, is American, and she, too, is
lei è americana. American.
Ci sono tanti siciliani in questo posto. There are a lot of Sicilians in this place.
Note: The noun gente (people) is singular in Italian.
La gente parla troppo. People talk too much.
Lui conosce tanta gente. He knows a lot of people.
Note: The plural of l’uomo (the man) is irregular; it is gli uomini (the men).
Lui è un bravo uomo. He is a good man.
Chi sono quegli uomini? Who are those men?
Also, note that some nouns ending in -ione are masculine. Those ending in ‑one are all
masculine.
il copione the script
il cordone the rope
il mattone the brick
ESERCIZIO
1·1

A. Provide the singular or plural form of each noun, as required.
SINGULAR PLURAL
1. zio
2. ragazzi
3. libro
4. gatti
5. figlio
Nouns and titles 3

6. zie
7. ragazza
8. penne
9. figlia
10. case
11. cane
12. cellulari
13. padre
14. pareti
15. madre
16. nazioni
17. notte
18. cose
19. casa
20. anni
21. giorno
22. vestiti
23. cravatta
24. donne
25. gonna
26. macchine
27. chiave
28. cognomi
29. giornale
30. nomi
31. copione
32. riunioni
33. cordone
34. mattoni

B. Provide the missing endings to the common nouns in the following sentences.
1. A suo nipot piace la matematic .

2. L’amor conquista (conquers) tutto.
3. Quella donn ha chiamato mia nipot .
4. Marco è un caro amic .
5. La mia amic vive in periferi
.
6. I miei amic hanno comprato un televisor plasma.
7. L’italian è una lingu facile.
8. Lui è italian
, ma lei è american
.
9. Dov’è quella region
?
10. A che ora c’è la riunion
?
C. There is an error in each sentence. Spot it and rewrite the sentence to correct it. You might have to make
adjustments to the other words as well.
1. Quei due uomi sono italiani.
2. La gente parlano troppo.
3. Sara è Siciliana.
4. Alessandro parla Francese.
Gender patterns
Every noun in Italian is marked for gender—that is to say, it is classified as either masculine or
feminine. In the case of nouns referring to people (or animals), the grammatical gender of the
noun usually matches the biological sex of the person (or animal).
With few exceptions, nouns that refer to males (people or animals) are masculine, and those
that refer to females (people or animals) are feminine.
MASCULINE (MALES) FEMININE (FEMALES)
l’americano the male American l’americana the female American

l’amico the male friend l’amica the female friend
l’italiano the male Italian l’italiana the female Italian
il gatto the male cat la gatta the female cat
Nouns and titles 5

There are exceptions. For example, il soprano (soprano) is a masculine noun but it refers to
a female person and la guardia (guard) is a feminine noun but can refer to either a male or female
person.
Nouns ending in -a and referring to both males and females

la persona person (male or female)
la spia spy (male or female)
la stella star (male or female)
Some nouns ending in -e refer to males or females. Note that with these nouns any other
forms (articles, adjectives, etc.) that accompany the nouns must indicate the correct grammatical
gender.
il cantante the male singer la cantante the female singer

il francese the French man la francese the French woman
il nipote the grandson; nephew la nipote the granddaughter; niece
il padre the father la madre the mother
l’inglese the English man l’inglese the English woman
Some masculine nouns ending in -e correspond to feminine nouns ending in -a.

il cameriere the waiter la cameriera the waitress

il signore the gentleman la signora the lady
l’infermiere the male nurse l’infermiera the female nurse
Note: The plural ending -i is used when the noun refers to both male and female beings
taken together as a group, whereas the plural ending -e refers only to a group of females.
SINGULAR PLURAL
l’italiano the (male) Italian gli italiani the Italians (males only or
males and females together)
l’italiana the (female) Italian le italiane the Italians (females only)
l’americano the (male) American gli americani the Americans (males only or
males and females together)
l’americana the (female) American le americane the Americans (females only)

ESERCIZIO
1·2

A. Provide the corresponding nouns referring to males and females. The first one is done
for you.
MALE
FEMALE
1. American americano americana

2. Italian
3. friend
4. soprano
5. guard
6. star
7. spy
8. person
9. English
10. French
11. singer
12. nurse
B. How do you say the following in Italian?
1. grandson or nephew il

2. Americans (in general) gli
3. female Italians le
4. granddaughter or niece la
5. waiters (in general) i
6. waitresses le
7. gentleman il
8. lady la
Spelling adjustments in the plural

The consonants in the noun endings -co, -go, -ca, and -ga represent hard sounds. There are two
possibilities for changing the -co and -go endings to the plural.
If the hard sounds are to be retained, the masculine plural endings are spelled respectively
-chi and -ghi. To remember that ch and gh represent hard sounds in Italian, think of English
words that use them in the same way: chemistry, ache, school, charisma, ghost.
Nouns and titles 7

SINGULAR PLURAL
gioco game giochi games

tedesco German tedeschi Germans
lago lake laghi lakes
luogo place luoghi places
If the corresponding soft sounds are required instead, the masculine plural endings are
spelled respectively -ci and -gi.
SINGULAR PLURAL
amico friend amici friends

greco Greek greci Greeks
biologo biologist biologi biologists
antropologo anthropologist antropologi anthropologists
So, when do you use one or the other plural form? In general, if -co is preceded by e or i (as
in amico and greco), the noun is pluralized to -ci (amici, greci). Otherwise the hard sound is
retained (-chi). In the case of -go, the tendency is to retain the hard sound. However, when the
noun ends in the suffix -logo and refers to a profession, career, or activity, then the appropriate
plural suffix is -logi.
il teologo the theologian i teologi the theologians
These rules should be considered “rules of thumb” rather than strict grammatical rules (covering
a large number of cases, however).
Exceptions to the rules of thumb

il porco the pig i porci the pigs
il fico the fig i fichi the figs
il sindaco the mayor i sindaci the mayors
il monaco the monk i monaci the monks
The endings -ca and -ga are always changed to -che and -ghe, which represent hard
sounds.
SINGULAR PLURAL
banca bank banche banks

greca female Greek greche female Greeks
riga straight ruler righe straight rulers
The consonants in the endings -cio and -gio represent soft sounds. Note that the i is not
pronounced. It is put there simply to indicate that the consonants are to be pronounced softly.
There is only one way to change such nouns to the plural, which is to retain the soft sounds with
the endings: -ci and -gi.
SINGULAR PLURAL
bacio kiss baci kisses

orologio watch orologi watches

If the i in -io is stressed, it is retained in the plural, otherwise it is not retained. To be sure if
it is stressed or not, consult a dictionary.
SINGULAR PLURAL
zio (stressed) uncle zii uncles

occhio (unstressed) eye occhi eyes
There are two possibilities for changing nouns ending in -cia and -gia to the plural. If the i
in the ending is stressed, it is pronounced in the plural and, thus, retained in spelling.
SINGULAR PLURAL
farmacia pharmacy farmacie pharmacies

bugia lie bugie lies
If the i indicates that the preceding consonant represents a soft sound in the singular but is
not stressed in the pronunciation, it is not retained in the plural spelling.
SINGULAR PLURAL
valigia suitcase valige suitcases

faccia face facce faces
To know if the i is stressed or not, consult a dictionary. The only exception to these rules
applies to the word for shirt.
SINGULAR PLURAL
camicia shirt camicie shirts
ESERCIZIO
1·3

A. Provide the plural forms of the following nouns.
1. luogo
2. tedesco
3. antropologo
4. greco
5. amico
6. gioco
7. biologo
8. lago
9. monaco
10. fico
11. sindaco
12. porco
Nouns and titles 9

13. riga
14. greca
15. banca
16. camicia
B. Now, do the reverse. Provide the singular forms of the given plural nouns.
1. baci
2. occhi
3. zii
4. orologi
5. farmacie
6. bugie
7. facce
8. valige
Mass nouns
There are two types of common nouns: count and mass. Count nouns refer to persons, things,
etc., that can be counted (as their designation suggests). They have both singular and plural forms.
The nouns you have been using so far are count nouns.
Mass nouns refer instead to things that cannot be counted, and therefore generally have
only a singular form.
l’acqua water
la fame hunger
la sete thirst
lo zucchero sugar
Mass nouns can, of course, be used in a figurative or poetic way. In such cases they can be
put in the plural.
le acque del mare the waters of the sea
Common mass nouns

la carne meat il riso rice
il latte milk il sale salt
il pane bread l’uva grapes
il pepe pepper

A few nouns have only a plural form. They refer to things made up of more than one part.
i baffi mustache
le forbici scissors
gli occhiali (eye)glasses
le mutande underwear
i pantaloni pants
ESERCIZIO
1·4

A. Can you figure out what each clue refers to?
1. È dolce. (It is sweet.)

2. Si usano per vedere. (They are used for seeing.)
3. Crescono sopra le labbra. (They grow above the lips.)
4. È un liquido bianco. (It’s a white liquid.)
5. Si usa per fare il vino. (It is used to make wine.)
1. salt and pepper

2. meat, bread, and rice
3. hunger and thirst
4. water
5. the waters of the sea
6. pants and underwear
7. scissors and eyeglasses
Proper nouns and titles

The same gender patterns described above apply to proper nouns. However, such nouns generally
have only a singular form, with some exceptions. For example, the United States, as in English, is
plural in Italian, even though it is a proper noun: gli Stati Uniti. Note that a proper noun is
capitalized.
MASCULINE FEMININE
Alessandro Alexander Alessandra Alexandra

Franco Frank Franca Franca
Giovanni John Maria Mary
Paolo Paul Paola Paula
Pasquale Pat l’Italia Italy
il Natale Christmas la Pasqua Easter
il Tevere the Tiber Giovanna Joanne
Nouns and titles 11

Proper Italian names ending in -a but referring to males
Luca Luke Andrea Andrew Nicola Nicholas
Italians use more titles than Americans do to address people. Here are a few common
ones.
MALE TITLE FEMALE TITLE MEANING
signore signora, signorina Mr.; Mrs./Ms., Miss

dottore dottoressa Doctor
professore professoressa Professor
avvocato avvocato Lawyer
geometra geometra Draftsperson
ragioniere ragioniera Accountant (Bookkeeper)
architetto architetto Architect
Title peculiarities
The title of dottore/dottoressa is used to address both a medical doctor and any university
graduate.
The title of professore/professoressa is used to address both a university professor and
any junior high and high school teacher.
Capitalizing titles is optional.

Note: The final -e of a masculine title is dropped before a name. This rule does not apply to
feminine titles. This is a rule of style, rather than strict grammar. So, it is not technically wrong
to keep the -e, but very few Italians do so.
MASCULINE TITLE USED BEFORE A NAME
il signore the gentleman il signor Verdi Mr. Verdi

il professore the professor il professor Rossi Professor Rossi
il dottore the doctor il dottor Bianchi Dr. Bianchi
FEMININE TITLE USED BEFORE A NAME
la signora the lady la signora Verdi Mrs. Verdi

la professoressa the professor la professoressa Rossi Professor Rossi
la dottoressa the doctor la dottoressa Bianchi Dr. Bianchi
Note as well that the title is preceded by the definite article. The article is dropped in direct
speech (talking to someone and using the title):
TITLE DIRECT SPEECH
il dottor Giusti «Buongiorno, dottor Giusti.» “Good morning, Dr. Giusti.”

la professoressa Dini «Salve, professoressa Dini.» “Hello, Prof. Dini.”

ESERCIZIO
1·5

A. Provide the corresponding male or female form.
MALE FEMALE
1. Paolo
2. Franca
3. Alessandro
4. Giovanna
5. nipote
6. signora
7. professore
8. dottoressa
9. geometra
10. ragioniera
11. il dottor Totti
12. la professoressa Nardini
13. architetto
14. avvocato
1. Luke, Andrew, and Nicholas are friends.
2. I love Christmas and Easter in Italy.
3. Mr. Rossi is a friend of the family (famiglia).
4. “Hello, Mr. Rossi.”
5. Mrs. Rossi is a friend of the family.
6. “Good morning, Mrs. Rossi.”
Nouns and titles 13

Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
lower end of the operating lever handle which engages the block
carrier lever catch, thus preventing any rotary motion of the
breechblock at the instant of firing. The firing pin receives the blow of
the percussion hammer and fires the primer. The flame passes
through the vent in the obturator spindle, igniting the propelling
charge. The gas pressure in the bore forces the mushroom head of
the obturator spindle hard against the gas check pad causing the
latter to expand and press against the walls of the chamber, forming
a gas-tight joint. After the explosion the elasticity of the pad causes it
to resume its former shape, allowing the obturator to be withdrawn
freely from its seat when the breech is unlocked.
To Open the Breech. After the piece has been fired, and before
unlocking the breech, press back the firing mechanism block safety
latch, screw out the firing mechanism block and remove the used
primer. The breech can not be unlocked with the firing mechanism
block in place. An attempt to do so will result in jamming of the firing
mechanism safety plunger. It is therefore important that the firing
mechanism block should be removed before attempting to unlock the
breech.
Press down on the handle of the operating lever in order to
disengage it from the block carrier lever catch. Move the lever
toward the rear and then to the right. In the first part of this
movement, the operating lever turns freely around the hinge pin and
its lug operates the rack which turns the breechblock. The threaded
parts of the breechblock are thus disengaged from the threads in the
breech recess. As the rack reaches the limit of its travel, the block
carrier is swung on its hinge drawing the breechblock out of the
breech recess. As the block carrier leaves the breech face of the
howitzer the rack lock is forced by its spring into the recess in the
rack preventing any further rotary motion of the breechblock in either
direction. As the breech reaches its full open position the right end of
the operating lever catch engages the operating lever catch, locking
the breech in open position.
In loading, care should be taken to ram the projectile home and to
enter the propelling charge in such a way that the igniter of the base
charge will be in contact with the mushroom head of the obturator
spindle when the breech is closed.
To Close the Breech. Press down on the operating lever handle
to disengage the operating lever latch from the operating lever catch
and move the operating lever to the left and forward. As the block
carrier comes in contact with the breech face of the howitzer, the
rack lock is pushed back into its seat, freeing the rack. Further
movement of the operating lever forces the rack to the left, rotating
the breechblock until its threaded portions mesh with the threads in
the breech recess. At the end of the movement of the operating
lever, the operating lever handle engages the block carrier lever
catch and fastens the breech in locked position.
Insert a new primer in the primer seat plug and replace the firing
mechanism block. The firing mechanism block can not be entered
until the breech is closed and locked. Any attempt to do so may
cause damage to the firing mechanism safety plunger or some part
of the firing mechanism.
THE CARRIAGE.
For the purpose of description, the carriage is considered as
composed of the following groups: Sleigh (including recoil
mechanism), cradle, trail, traveling lock, elevating mechanism,
traversing mechanism, wheels, road brake, and shield.
The sleigh contains the recoil and counter-recoil mechanism and
serves as a support for the howitzer, being secured to it by the
breech key and the holding-down band. The recoil counter-recoil
cylinders, and two air cylinders are bored in the sleigh and form the
recoil mechanism. The ends of the recoil and counter-recoil cylinders
are attached to the cradle and when the howitzer is fired the sleigh
and howitzer recoil, sliding on the cradle sides.
The holding down band is anchored on either side to the front
band clips, which are secured to the sleigh. Grooves are cut
underneath the two top edges of the sleigh, and are lined with
bronze liners, known as sleigh slides. These liners slide on the
cradle clips and guide the howitzer during recoil. Five longitudinal
cylinders are bored in the sleigh, the two upper cylinders running
about one-third the length of the sleigh, forming air tanks and are
closed at the front end by the air tank heads. The left air tank head is
provided with an opening in which the gage-cock body is assembled.
A pressure gage may be assembled through an adapter to this gage-
cock for ascertaining the pressure in the counter recoil system. The
gage-cock is also provided with a pointer which registers the quantity
of liquid in the system on a scale provided on the air tank head. The
two lower cylinders extending the full length of the sleigh, form
a housing for the recoil mechanism, the right cylinder being the
counter-recoil cylinder and the left the recoil cylinder. The small
equalizing cylinder in the center of the sleigh, extending only a short
distance, is closed at the front end with the filling valve, through
which air or liquid is introduced into the system.
155 MM HOWITZER, MODEL OF 1918 (SCHNEIDER)

SECTION, IN BATTERY
The counter recoil cylinder is connected by a passage to the
right air tank and also to the small equalizing cylinder, the latter
being connected to the left air cylinder, thus maintaining equal
pressure in both air cylinders and in the counter-recoil cylinder. The
counter-recoil cylinder is closed at the rear end with the counter-
recoil cylinder head and at the front end with the stuffing box,
through which the counter-recoil rod and its piston moves. The
recoil cylinder is closed at the rear end with the recoil cylinder head
and at the front end with the recoil cylinder stuffing box, through
which the recoil piston rod operates. This rod is hollow and serves as
a buffer chamber for the buffer rod, which is securely screwed to the
recoil cylinder head at one end, the other end carrying the counter-
recoil valve. The recoil and counter-recoil rods are fitted with the
piston rod nuts on the front end which engage the piston rod lock
plate.
The cradle is a steel U-shaped plate reinforced by several
transoms and supported by the trunnion bracket, elevating segment
brackets, and in traveling position by the cradle band which engages
the clips on which the howitzer recoils when in action. The sleigh
traveling locks are mounted at the extreme ends of the cradle and
used to lock the sleigh to cradle when the howitzer is in traveling
position.
The cradle is mounted on trunnions on the carriage, and by means
of elevating segments geared with the elevating mechanism may be
inclined at various firing angles. When carriage is traveling the rear
end of the cradle rests on the cradle traveling lock, thereby relieving
the elevating mechanism of the weight of the howitzer, sleigh and
cradle.
The left trunnion of the cradle is bored out to receive the sight and
bracket. The shoulder guard is located on left side of the cradle just
back of the trunnion bracket and protects the gunner from the
recoiling parts. The firing mechanism is located on the right side of
the cradle and provided with a safety device which prevents the
piece from being fired when the piston rod nuts are not engaged by
piston lock.
The recoil indicator is located just back of the trunnion bracket on
the right side of the cradle and consists of a steel spring which is
adjusted by means of a nut so that the pointer bears against a scale
engraved on the edge of the sleigh indicating the length of recoil.
The front end of the cradle is covered by the cradle head and
provided with an opening through which the pressure-gauge adapter
may be assembled to the gauge-cock body. The lower half of the
front end of the cradle is closed by the front transom, forming a guide
for the piston-rod lock which is operated by means of a lever. When
this lever is lowered the lock plate moves to the right, releasing the
piston-rod nuts. When the lever is raised the lock moves to the left,
locking the nuts in firing position. The locking device is protected by
the cradle front cover which holds the lever in firing position when
closed. The filling valve is accessible through the cradle bottom
cover located on the bottom of the cradle to the rear of the front
transom. The pump bracket is located on the left side of the cradle
near the front.

LEFT SIDE ELEVATION, IN BATTERY
ELEVATING MECHANISM
Recoil and Counter-Recoil Mechanisms. When the howitzer is

fired the recoil mechanism exercises its retarding influence by
means of a liquid which is obliged to pass through an orifice whose
size diminishes as the movement proceeds, thus checking the
recoiling mass. The recoiling movement of the gun actuates at the
same time the counter-recoil mechanism, which acts on the counter-
recoil liquid and forces it into two reservoirs, thus further
compressing a gas therein contained. When the recoil movement is
ended the expansion of gas forces the counter-recoil mechanism
back “into battery,” and the recoil cylinder again exercises its
retarding influence to prevent a too rapid return and shock. The
normal recoil is 51.375 inches (1.305 meters).
When the piece is fired the howitzer and sleigh move to the rear,
the recoil and counter-recoil rods, which are held by the piston-rod
lock remaining stationary. The liquid in the counter-recoil cylinder is
thus forced into the air cylinders, building up a pressure sufficient to
return the howitzer to battery. The liquid in the recoil cylinder is
forced through the orifices in the recoil piston rod and then through
the throttling ring. The tapered buffer rod, which is attached to the
recoil cylinder head, moves through the throttling ring, gradually
closing the orifice, thus keeping the pressure constant as the velocity
of recoil is reduced. As the buffer rod moves to the rear the counter-
recoil valve is opened, allowing the liquid to pass freely into the
buffer chamber. As the gun returns to battery the buffer valve closes,
forcing the liquid to pass through the small clearance around the
valve, thus absorbing the energy of counter recoil.
By means of the elevating mechanism the howitzer, sleigh and
cradle are inclined at the various firing angles, varying from zero to
42 degrees, by rotation in the trunnions of the cradle.
Two elevating segments attached to the cradle are actuated by the
elevating pinion shaft operating in bearings integral with the
elevating worm wheel case secured to trail. To lower end of worm
shaft is fitted a worm which engages a worm wheel and pinion shaft
in the gear case. On upper end of worm shaft is attached the
elevating hand wheel fitted with a handle and plunger enabling the
operator to lock the howitzer at any desired elevation. The motion of
the handwheel is transmitted through the worm gear to the pinion
shaft and thence to the elevating segments.
TRAVERSING ROLLERS
The handwheel is provided with a handle of a spring locking type,

downward pressure on which unlocks it from the handwheel latch
plate, permitting the mechanism to be operated.
Traversing Mechanism. The traverse of the carriage is obtained
by means of the traversing mechanism causing the carriage to slide
on the axle, the trail pivoting on the spade. The movement is 3
degrees each side of center or a total of 105 mils.
At the center of the axle is rigidly attached a bronze traversing nut
through which passes the traversing screw which may be operated
from either side of the carriage by means of handwheels connected
to the screw through bevel gears and shaft. The traversing screw
operates in the travelling housing longitudinally and held in position
by thrust bearings and thrust bearing adjusters at both ends of the
screw. When either of the handwheels is operated the traversing
screw is rotated and moves to the right or left as the case may be,
carrying the entire carriage which moves across the axle on
traversing rollers.
In order to reduce friction during the traversing operation the
carriage rests on the axle through Belleville springs and two concave
faced traversing rollers mounted on roller shafts in the axle housing.
When gun is fired the Belleville springs are compressed and the
carriage rests on the axle through the bronze traversing roller boxes.
On top of axle projecting to the left of carriage is riveted an
azimuth scale graduated in mils so that the position of the carriage
on the axle may easily be seen at any time. When in traveling
position the carriage should be locked to the axles by the axle
traveling lock, thus relieving the traversing mechanism from
unnecessary stress.

TRAVERSING MECHANISM
The axle traveling lock is a device employed to relieve the
traversing mechanism from unnecessary stress when the carriage is
in traveling position. When the carriage is prepared for traveling the
traveling lock engages a series of square grooves cut in the center of
the axle. The lock is operated by an eccentric on the end of the
traveling lock shaft which is controlled by the lock lever fixed on
outer end. The lock lever may be placed in two positions marked “to
travel” and “to fire,” by means of its handle which is provided with a
spring plunger engaging the traveling lock catch. In order to properly
lock the carriage in traveling position it is necessary to traverse the
carriage to the center position on the axle, thus permitting the locking
device to engage the grooves cut in the center of the axle.
The air pump is furnished for the purpose of charging and
maintaining the necessary pressure in the counter recoil reservoirs.
When in operation it is attached to a bracket on the carriage by
means of a screw clamp and connected to the reservoir by the filling
pipe. The pump will operate against a pressure of 400 to 600 pounds
per square inch.
The liquid pump is a single-acting-plunger used for charging the
counter-recoil system and for the purpose of replenishing losses of
liquid from the cylinders. Power is applied through a hand lever
connected by parallel links and a cross-beam at the lower end of the
piston. The hand lever is detachable and also used in connection
with the air pump. When in operation the pump is attached to a
bracket on the carriage by means of a screw clamp. The filling pipe
is employed to connect the liquid pump with the recuperator cylinder.
The reservoir for compressed gas is a commercial seamless
cylinder with a capacity of 2,842 cubic inches and is charged with
nitrogen gas at a working pressure of 2,000 pounds per square inch
(140 kilograms per square centimeter). The reservoir is provided with
a needle valve and a connection for the pressure gage or filling pipe.
This cylinder is used for charging the counter-recoil system and may
be carried on the artillery supply truck furnished with 155-mm
organizations.
AIR AND LIQUID PUMPS
TRAVELING POSITION
The filling pipe is used to connect the counter-recoil reservoirs

with the air or liquid pump or with the compressed gas reservoir.
Pressure Gage. The gage for the compressed gas reservoir is
calibrated from 0 to 150 kilograms per square centimeter. It is used
to ascertain the pressure of gas in the reservoir and must be
attached before screwing on the filling pipe. The gage for the
pressure-gage adapter is calibrated from 0 to 60 kilograms per
square centimeter, is screwed into the side of the adapter and used
to test the pressure in the counter-recoil system.
The quadrant sight, model of 1918 (Schneider), is mounted on
the left trunnion of the carriage, both in traveling and in action, and
should not be removed by the battery mechanics. The principal
features of the quadrant sight are: The cross-leveling mechanism,
the elevating mechanism, and the angle of site mechanism.
The cross-leveling mechanism principally consists of the leveling
worm, leveling stop, antibacklash spring, leveling clamp, and cross
levels. By means of the cross-leveling mechanism the quadrant sight
is adjusted to proper alignment with the bore of the howitzer.
The bracket fits into the trunnion on the left side of the carriage
and is provided with four tennons which engage slots in the face of
the trunnions keeping the sight in proper alignment with the bore of
the howitzer. The bracket is screwed in place by the bracket bolt; the
front end of the body of the quadrant sight fits into the cylindrical part
of the bracket and is held in place longitudinally by four lugs.
QUADRANT SIGHT, MODEL OF 1918.

(SCHNEIDER)
The body of the sight is rotated by the leveling worm engaging the
worm segment cut on the under side of the body. The outer end of
the worm is provided with a knurled hand wheel by means of which
the leveling mechanism is operated. The leveling stop, secured to
bracket, engages slot in the body, thus limiting the angular motion of
the body in either direction. The rear end of the cylindrical part of the
bracket is split and provided with a leveling clamp by means of which
the body may be locked in position after it has been leveled.
The cross level is located on the rear edge of the sight shank and
serves the gunner in determining the level position of the instrument.
The level vial is a glass tube, closed at both ends, and partially filled
with a liquid consisting of 4 per cent alcohol and 60 per cent ether, a
small bubble remaining in the tube. Graduations are etched on the
circumference of the tube to indicate the central position of the
bubble. The vial is held in a level-vial tube, the ends being wrapped
in paper and set in plaster of paris. The knurled cross-level cover fits
over the holder and, together with the level-vial tube, are held in
place by the cross-level caps, which close the ends of the holder.
When closed, the cover serves as a protection for the vial.
The elevating mechanism consists principally of a sight shank,
elevating worm wheel, antibacklash pinion, elevating worm, elevating
worm eccentric, elevating scale drum, and scale drum housing.
NOTES ON CARE OF THE 155 HOWITZER.

The executive should be perfectly familiar with the working of the
recoil and know when to put a gun out of action due to faulty recoil.
The length of the recoil should be such that the end of the gun slides
do not recoil over the end of the cradle rails. In counter-recoil, the
sleigh should be perceptibly slowed down at a point about 10
centimeters from the front of the cradle, and from there on should
ease gently into battery without a sound or shock. Strict watch
should be kept to see that no excessive leakage takes place through
the stuffing boxes, the valve in the gauge adapter, or the oil hole in
the cylinder end nut. Slight leakage can hardly be helped, as one of
the stuffing boxes is under more than four hundred pounds of
pressure per square inch when the gun is at rest, and three or four
times that amount when the gun is in full recoil. However, if a pool of
liquid is found after the gun has been standing all night, it is time to
report the matter and have the packings replaced. The gun must be
dismounted, the stuffing-box repacked, and the dermatine inspected.
The dermatine packing is a compound resembling rubber, but it has
the quality of resisting any chemical action that the liquid may set up
in the recuperator. A worn dermatine packing may be replaced by
the simple expedient of turning it wrong side out and then using it
again as before. This has actually been tried and found to give good
results. Another temporary repair was effected by cutting a ring from
a solid truck tire and using it in the place of the dermatine, until a
packing of the latter could be obtained.
The French obtain a very tight fit in their stuffing boxes by the
peculiar design that allows the liquid pressure to actuate a strong
spring which in turn expands the packing against the rod or cylinder
wall. Leakage through the recuperator stuffing box will be noticed by
the liquid coming out of the oil hole in the right-hand cylinder end nut.
In dismounting French materiel, care must be used to replace the
same nuts on the bolts from which they were taken. Threads are not
standardized as to diameter; hence, trouble is likely to occur when
remounting.
To dismount the tube from the recoil mechanism, or sleigh as
it is denoted, a suitably strong overhead beam is selected and the
carriage run beneath it. Mount two one-ton duplex blocks on the
beam over either end of the tube and thread the bore with a half-inch
wire cable sling, in such a manner as to leave a bight at both muzzle
and breech ends. Into these loops the hooks of the block catch.
Gunny sacks form a suitable packing at the muzzle and breech to
prevent the cable damaging these parts of the tube. Provide several
blocks of two by four or four by four stuff, to block up the sleigh as it
is moved to the rear—as we shall soon see that it does. Remove the
locking hoop by knocking out the retaining bolts, and also remove
the cradle bolts from their housing on the cradle. This will allow the
sleigh to move to the rear of the cradle. Take a strain on the blocks
and carefully move the sleigh back over the trail until the recoil-lug
key (locking the recoil lug to the sleigh) clears the end of the cradle.
Remove the set screw from the bottom of the sleigh which locks the
tapered key in place, and proceed to drive the key out with a sledge
hammer and a block of wood. During this operation the rear of the
sleigh must be blocked up on the trail in order to take the strain off
the cradle rails. After the key is cleared, the tube may be raised by
means of the two blocks, care being taken to make the lift vertical,
otherwise the slots and grooves just in front of the breech will jam
and be damaged. Remove the carriage and lower the tube onto
blocks. The process of mounting is just the reverse of the above.
The elevating and traversing mechanisms give little trouble, if all
gear cases are kept packed in grease. It is extremely important that,
in laying for elevation with this piece, the final turns of the handwheel
should bring the gun into correct position by raising the breech and
not by lowering it. In this way all backlash is taken out of the gearing
and the howitzer rests solidly for firing. The gunner may easily be
taught to remember this by always having him bring the range
bubble to the front of the glass and then slowly elevate the breech,
bringing the bubble to him.
The traversing mechanism moves the whole carriage, including
gun, along the axle, about the spade as the center of rotation. The
traversing screw moves the carriage by being rotated through nut set
solidly in the axle. The axle and nut are stationary and the screw
moves laterally by means of the traversing handwheel. Hence, the
carriage being attached to the screw, must move when the screw
moves. Inasmuch as the axle is straight, it must accommodate itself
to the arc of the circle described about the spade as the center. It
does so by moving tangent to the arc, and consequently one end
moves to the front and the other end moves to the rear, carrying the
wheels with them. From this it will be seen that before attempting to
traverse the piece, the brake must be “off.” The movement of the
wheels may be easily seen, if a pencil line be drawn across the tire
just above the brake shoe and then the piece traversed. The line will
be seen either to raise or lower according to whether the piece be
traversed to the right or left.
In filling the “brake” or recoil cylinder, good results have been
obtained by merely leveling the gun and filling the brake cylinder until
full. Trying to pour out one hundred cubic centimeters of the liquid
after the brake is full, as the French drill regulations lay down, is
almost impossible; and no bad effects will be noticed provided the
gun does not become excessively warm during the firing. If it should
become warmed up sufficiently to affect the recoil, level the gun,
unscrew filling plug to release the pressure, rescrew, and continue
the fire. In using the manometer gauge, to measure the pressure and
the height of the liquid in the recuperator, it will be found that the
valve in gauge adapter will sometimes stick open to the extent of
letting out all the air in the recuperator tanks. The only sure remedy
for this is entirely to dismount the gun, remove the adapter, and
replace its valve packing, which no doubt will be found to be worn
and frayed, or else some foreign substance will be found to be lying
between it and its seat. The gauges should be tested about once in
three months by means of a standard steam gauge testing
apparatus, making the appropriate transformations if the tester be
graduated to pounds per square inch as most steam testers are. It
will be found that the maximum steam pressures used are rather
lower than these gauges read, hence only the lower readings may
ordinarily be tested.
To set the pointer to the correct pressure reading, pull the pointer
loose and apply a known pressure to the gauge. Set the pointer at
the corresponding reading on the manometer and press it on tightly.
In general, this is sufficient for practical work.
After each firing the breechblock should be entirely dismounted
and each part washed in caustic soda solution and then stippled with
oil before reassembling.
The wheels are made of smaller members than those that we are
accustomed to see in our own materiel. It must be remembered,
however, that the French designed their wheels for much better
roads than ours; and, in comparison with our materiel throughout,
this fact must be borne in mind. The wheels must be carefully
watched, especially through the dry weather, for they tend to check
and crack. Remedies are tire shrinking and soaking in water over
night, followed by a thorough and careful application of linseed oil.
Fast travel, as when the piece is coupled to a truck, must be avoided
if the life of the carriage is to be assured.
According to the French drill of the gun squads, in going into
action, the piece is first unlimbered and the trail is then laid on the
ground, and the cannoneers change posts to the extent of the
gunner going to his position by his sight; while the remaining
cannoneers lift the trail again and set the spade. This is slow and
cumbersome work. Much better results may be obtained by setting
the spade at the time that the piece is unlimbered, without moving
the cannoneers from their posts.
CHAPTER XII
EXPLOSIVES, AMMUNITION AND FUSES.
EXPLOSIVES.
As a matter of practical interest, explosives may be divided into
three classes, namely:
(1) Progressive or propelling explosives called low explosives.
(2) Detonating or disruptive explosives, termed high
explosives.
(3) Detonators or exploders, known as fulminates.
The first includes all classes of gun powders used in firearms of all
kinds; the second, explosives used in shell, torpedoes, and for
demolitions; the third, those explosives used to originate explosive
reactions in the two first classes. Corresponding names are given to
the phenomena characteristic of each class of explosives, (1)
explosions proper, of low order, progressive, or combustions, (2)
detonations, of high order, (3) fulminations, this last possessing
exceptional brusqueness.
The explosion of low order is marked by more or less progression;
the time element is involved as a controlling factor, the time required
to complete the explosive reaction being large compared with that of
the other forms of explosion.
The second class of explosion is of a different nature. The
explosive reaction is not limited or confined to the surfaces exposed
but appears to progress in all directions throughout the mass radially
from the point of initial explosion. It has been determined
experimentally that the velocity of propagation of the explosive wave
throughout a mass of guncotton is from 17,000 to 21,000 feet per
second.
Fulmination is a class of explosion still more brusque than the last.
The abruptness of their explosion and the consequent sharpness of
the blow and the concentration of heat on the point of ignition
constituting their efficiency as originators of explosions of the first
two classes.
Methods of Exploding. Explosives may be exploded by three
methods; in reality but two, by heat and by application of energy as
by a blow. The heat may be applied directly by friction, by electricity
and detonating cap, these two methods of applying the heat giving
rise to the three practical methods above mentioned. As it is not
practical to apply heat directly to the charge, small charges of special
explosives are made up into primers and these are exploded in one
of the ways above mentioned and so communicate the explosion to
the main charge. Fulminate of mercury is one of the high explosives
fulfilling the requirements and it is readily exploded by any one of the
methods mentioned. It is used in all detonating caps. Primers for
cannon also contain an additional charge of black powder to
increase the flame. For this purpose also igniting charges of black
powder are attached to the smokeless powder charges for the larger
calibers.
Uses. The chief use of low or progressive explosives is as a
propelling charge in guns and for blasting where it is desired to exert
a pushing effect rather than a blow. High explosives are used when it
is desired to exert a high pressure and shatter the container, as in a
shell, mine, etc. This class is not satisfactory as a propelling charge
for the reason that its rapidity of action is so great that the pressure
exerted would burst the gun before the projectile could start. Low
explosives are not satisfactory shell fillers for the reason that their
action is so low that the shell would break at its weakest point before
all the explosives had exploded and what remained would be
wasted. With a high explosive, all or most of the charge explodes
before the shell can break up. The greater the rapidity of action of an
explosive the finer the fragmentation of the projectile. With too rapid
action the pieces are too small; with too slow action they are too
large. Experience teaches the proper rapidity of action to attain the
fragmentation most efficient against animate and material targets.

Complete Italian Grammar 2Nd Edition Marcel Danesi Full Chapter

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Complete Italian Grammar 2Nd Edition Marcel Danesi Full Chapter

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Complete Italian Grammar 2nd Edition

00_Danesi_i-xiv, 1-260.indd 1 3/1/16 3:44 PM

Marcel Danesi, PhD

00_Danesi_i-xiv, 1-260.indd 3 3/1/16 3:44 PM

eBook conversion by codeMantra

McGraw-Hill Education Language Lab App

1 Nouns and titles 1

2 More about nouns 16

00_Danesi_i-xiv, 1-260.indd 5 3/1/16 3:44 PM

10 Present tenses 115

00_Danesi_i-xiv, 1-260.indd 6 3/1/16 3:44 PM

12 The imperfect and pluperfect tenses 150

13 The progressive tenses 162

14 The future and conditional tenses 171

15 The imperative 186

16 Reflexive verbs 196

00_Danesi_i-xiv, 1-260.indd 7 3/1/16 3:44 PM

20 Miscellaneous topics 250

Irregular verb tables 261

00_Danesi_i-xiv, 1-260.indd 8 3/1/16 3:44 PM

Practice Makes Perfect: Complete Italian Grammar focuses on topics of impor-

00_Danesi_i-xiv, 1-260.indd 9 3/1/16 3:44 PM

00_Danesi_i-xiv, 1-260.indd 10 3/1/16 3:44 PM

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Garret Lemoi of McGraw-Hill for his

00_Danesi_i-xiv, 1-260.indd 11 3/1/16 3:44 PM

00_Danesi_i-xiv, 1-260.indd 13 3/1/16 3:44 PM

00_Danesi_i-xiv, 1-260.indd 1 3/1/16 3:44 PM

figlio son figli sons

casa house case houses

(il) cane (the) dog (i) cani (the) dogs

FEMININE SINGULAR FEMININE PLURAL

(la) madre (the) mother (le) madri (the) mothers

2 practice makes perfect Complete Italian Grammar

00_Danesi_i-xiv, 1-260.indd 2 3/1/16 3:44 PM

(m. = masculine, f. = feminine)

Nouns and titles 3

00_Danesi_i-xiv, 1-260.indd 3 3/1/16 3:44 PM

4 practice makes perfect Complete Italian Grammar

00_Danesi_i-xiv, 1-260.indd 4 3/1/16 3:44 PM

1. A suo nipot piace la matematic .

1. Quei due uomi sono italiani.

2. La gente parlano troppo.

4. Alessandro parla Francese.

l’americano the male American l’americana the female American

Nouns and titles 5

00_Danesi_i-xiv, 1-260.indd 5 3/1/16 3:44 PM

Nouns ending in -a and referring to both males and females

il cantante the male singer la cantante the female singer

Some masculine nouns ending in -e correspond to feminine nouns ending in -a.

il cameriere the waiter la cameriera the waitress

6 practice makes perfect Complete Italian Grammar

00_Danesi_i-xiv, 1-260.indd 6 3/1/16 3:44 PM

1. American americano americana

B. How do you say the following in Italian?

1. grandson or nephew il

Spelling adjustments in the plural

Nouns and titles 7

00_Danesi_i-xiv, 1-260.indd 7 3/1/16 3:44 PM

gioco game giochi games

amico friend amici friends

il teologo the theologian i teologi the theologians

Exceptions to the rules of thumb

banca bank banche banks