Using German: A Guide to Contemporary Usage

by Martin Durrell

Book Overview

This is a guide to German usage for those who have already acquired the basics of the language and wish to extend their knowledge. It provides important information on recent trends and changes in the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521315565
• ISBN13: 9780521315562
• Release Date: May 1992
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.7" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Explaining the nuances other books never do...

I was totally surprised by the wealth of useful information in this book. Most all German books explain the basics of the German language. However, German in common use is so complex due to colloquialisms. This book breaks down all the strange uses of words simplified in other German language texts, as well as providing great coverage of the different dialects across European German. It's definitely meant for an intermediate or advanced German student, preferably for those wanting to go overseas and mingle amongst Germans.

Outstanding German usage guide

This book is outstanding for native English speakers looking to acquire fluency in German. Although it seems to be aimed at the advanced learner, I'd guess pretty much anyone after the 2nd year of study (high school) would profit from it, because of how it explains the differences and relationships in actual usage There are many categories of usage and many examples - English and German phrases compared with each other, with detailed explanations. Note that this is a usage guide and, while certainly informed with explanations about grammatical details, it is not a German grammar. For that I would strongly recommend Durrell's other 2 excellent books, 'Essential German Grammar' and (of course), the classic 'Hammer's German Grammar and Usage'. The latter is usually said to be aimed at advanced (i.e. after 3rd year at university level) learners, but it is also an excellent reference work for anyone attempting to attain fluency and looking to understand the subtle nuances of German. I have the 2nd edition; fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your point of view, each edition seems to differ from the others, not only in content (i.e. additional information) but also layout and organisation. This makes them slightly different books, so what I'm saying is, a real 'crack' might like to have a copy of each, since they're kind of complementary (at least that's my impression).

Great source of information for serious students of German

What can I say? This is probably the best book ever for advanced students of German... It covers it all from the subtle differences in word choice to Austrian and Swiss vocabulary. This book is a must for everyone who really wants to learn perfect German.