Having a really hard time with Polish cases

I generally do really well in my Polish course, but lately I am having a real hard time trying to determine when to use which case. I understand how to change the case endings, however when to use them is becoming a nightmare. I have just started my third Polish course and it is becoming increasingly difficult because I do not understand how to do this. We are writing stories and what not and my cases are all over the place. If anyone can give me an explanation or a thorough reference book I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks :)

There are plenty of good books on the market and Colloquial Polish by W Mazur is a very good buy should you not already have a copy.

Michal, this was so polite!! x

The rules of Polish grammar in tabular formats (at least most of them). The rules are explained in both Polish and English.

Good luck:

http://free.of.pl/g/grzegorj/gram/gram00.html

Hi,

For my two zloty, i.e. euros, worth, cases in any language are not transparent in the beginning to intermediate stages (just try German, for instance, much less Finnish or Hungarian, with respectively 32 such cases, on for size!!!).

Attempt instead to learn them in context. I don't know either your Polish level or your instructor's method, but I dare say, that just drilling cases all class long, is clearly drudgery and NOT the best way to do things. In the long run too, it is mostly likely not the most productive.

Admittedly, memorization/repetition, should be contextual, i.e. showing situations where, for example the instrumental vs. the dative case are used, rather than merely through dry charts or tables. The latter is a supplement rather than a subsitute, for more use-friendly learning.

Marek

Try these two grammar books, both free downloads. You may find them useful:
Small grammar book
h t t p://polish.slavic.pitt.edu/firstyear/nutshell.pdf
and
big grammar book
h t t p://polish.slavic.pitt.edu/grammar.pdf
The larger book goes through the cases in some detail.

The remainder of the material on the web site is also well worth a look.

...oop, forgot the website url:
h t t p://polish.slavic.pitt.edu/sitemap.html

Thank you all so much for your help and information, I will check it all out and hopefully get a better understanding when to use the cases. I am so excited to finally have some helpful guides. Thank you again!

Terenia

I understand your problem ,identifying the cases is my biggest problem also. :)

its amazing what you can find :) try the videos by janusz

If I use the verb byc, what do I use as the direct object with pronouns?

do you mean conjugation?
See this: URL