Basic Polish

Basic Polish presents concise explanations of grammar with related exercises, to build confidence in using the modern language. Assuming no previous knowledge of Polish, the book's step-by-step approach guarantees a thorough grounding in the basics of grammar. Each of the forty units introduces particular grammar points. Clear and concise explanations are supported by a wide range of examples and exercises to allow students to practise and consolidate their learning. Later units also reinforce material taught in earlier ones. Key features include: - clear, accessible format - many useful language examples - jargon-free explanations of grammar - abundant exercises with a full answer key - notes on the Polish alphabet, pronunciation and stress - Polish-English vocabulary - subject index. This second edition has been revised to include updated examples and explanations. It also offers five new appendices containing a comprehensive summary of grammar functions, guidance on studying an inflected language, and helpful information on question words, the important verbs byc and miec and perfective and imperfective verb aspects. Written by an experienced language teacher and author, Basic Polish is the ideal introduction to the structures and expressions most widely used in spoken and written Polish. It is suitable for both independent use and classroom study.

Dana Bielec is the author of the popular Polish: An Essential Grammar and Intermediate Polish: A Grammar and Workbook, both published by Routledge.

Introduction List of abbreviations Alphabet, pronunciation, stress 1. Noun genders; adjective agreement; personal pronouns; byc; address forms 2. Nouns and adjectives in the plural 3. Plural of 'men' nouns and adjectives 4. Direct object (feminine and neuter) 5. Verbs with present tense -am, -a, -aja 6. Direct object of masculine nouns (accusative case) 7. Prepositions followed by accusative case 8. Direct object (singular) of masculine 'alive' nouns 9. Direct object (plural) of masculine 'men' nouns 10. Direct object pronouns; prepositional pronouns (accusative) 11. Possession (singular nouns) 12. Possession (plural nouns); whose 13. Genitive case of adjectives 14. Prepositions followed by genitive case 15. Verbs with genitive case object; prepositional pronouns (genitive) 16. Verbs with present tense -em, -e, -eja/-edza 17. Cardinal numbers 1 to 4 18. Numbers 5 to 20; indefinite numbers; quantities 19. Ordinal numbers 1 to 20; name; age 20. Questions 21. Verbs ending in -owac, -iwac, -awac, -ywac; verb aspects 22. Negation; simple conjunctions; there is; something 23. Indirect object (singular); verbs with present tense -e, -y, -a 24. Indirect object (plural); dative case prepositions 25. More verbs with present tense -e, -y, -a 26. Dative case of pronouns 27. Pronoun sie; verbs with present tense -ie/e, -i, -ia/a 28. Instrumental case (nouns, adjectives) 29. Other uses of instrumental case 30. Prepositions followed by instrumental case 31. Verbs with two imperfective forms 32. Locative case (nouns, prepositions) 33. Locative case (adjectives, pronouns) 34. This, that, such, what like, which 35. My, your, etc., own 36. Each, every, all 37.Clock time 38. Byc (past, future); days 39. Months; seasons; time expressions 40. Dual-case prepositions Appendix 1 - How grammar works Appendix 2 - Studying an inflected language Appendix 3 - Question words Appendix 4 - Byc and miec - all tenses Appendix 5 - Perfective and imperfective verbs aspects Key to exercises Polish-English vocabulary Index