Learn to speak grammatically correct Italian

Language skills to improve grammar

Learning the rudiments of another language's grammar is often off-putting but always essential. Starting simple with nouns can help you make strong initial progress. With Italian, even a meal at your local trattoria or pizzeria can constitute practice when it comes to familiarising yourself with common nouns.

Italian nouns and Italian pronouns

When it comes to pronouns, Italian grammar steps up a gear. The categorisation of pronouns - for example, Italian reflexive pronouns, Italian personal pronouns, Italian relative pronouns, Italian pronouns direct, Italian pronouns indirect and Italian indirect object pronouns - can be enough to cause confusion in novice language learners. This is where choosing an interactive Italian course based on your own language makes a real difference as grammatical knowledge varies widely depending on the learner's native tongue.

Make use of an Italian prepositions list

• Prepositions go in front of nouns and pronouns in order to highlight the relationship between that pronoun or noun and the rest of the sentence.

• The Italian usage of prepositions often differs substantially from English usage.

• Drawing up prepositions in an Italian chart can help you assess whether a particular pronoun indicates, for example, a quantity, a comparison, ownership or an origin.

• If the regular study of an Italian prepositions chart sounds a little dull, break it up with some genuine Italian television shows (try "Suburru" or "Boris") to encourage yourself to keep going.

What are the most commonly used Italian prepositions pronouns and what do they mean?

• di = of

• a = at/to

• da = from/since/by

• in = in

• con = with

• su = on/about

• per = for

• tra/fra = between/within

Italian adjectives

Adjectives add colour, interest and precision to language. Native English speakers may not find it easy to differentiate between the various types of adjectives, which can pose problems when learning a new language such as Italian.

The best way to become familiar with Italian grammar

• Bite-size lessons taken at your convenience.

• A top-quality course designed by language experts, which reflects your proficiency in the language.

• A pick-and-mix approach to modules to reflect your own interests and learning needs.

• The incorporation of grammar into real-world learning tasks.

• Regular and consistent practice.

Learning Italian with Babbel

Little and often is a good rule of thumb when it comes to acquiring a second (or subsequent) language. An online app that can be accessed at the user's convenience is an excellent way of fitting in language learning to even the busiest of days. A tailored programme can also assist in the acquisition of grammar rules and help you distinguish, for example, between Italian possessive adjectives from interrogative ones.

While there is no shortage of language course providers available, Babbel offers something different. So far, its unique app, which works on Android and iPhones alike, has benefitted more than 5 million users throughout the world. Its unique interactive approach allows you to design your language course to suit you. For instance, if grammar is particularly relevant to your learning needs, Babbel offers several focused grammar courses. Equally, if you are focused on gaining enough know-how in the language to see you through a business trip, you might choose to take the crash course series of lessons. Whichever you choose, you'll find the course flexible to your needs and time constraints. As well as its popularity with business users, a Babbel course makes a fantastic gift for someone looking forward to a holiday abroad. Gift vouchers allow the recipient to choose a course in any one of 14 languages and, of course, to undertake their learning at a time and in a place of their own choosing.