Explanations and examples of all aspects of Italian grammar.
The Italian alphabet is made up of 21 letters: 16 consonants 5 vowels Listen to the Italian alphabet: A;a a B;b bi C;c ci D;d di E;e e F;f effe G;g gi H;h acca I;i i L;l elle M;m emme N;n enne O;o o P;p pi Q;q qu R;r erre S;s esse T;t ti U;u u V;v vu / vi […]
Read more
In Italian, the verbs essere (to be) and avere (to have) are called auxiliary verbs because they have the function of “helping” the other verbs to form compound tenses. The verb avere to have means to possess. Emma ha una maglietta verde. The verb essere (to be) means to stay or exist. Emma è a scuola. Qui c’è una palestra […]
Read more
Articles are divided into definite and indefinite. Definite Articles The definite articles are: il, lo, la; with nouns in the singular i, gli, le; with nouns in the plural and indicate people, animals and specific things. For example: Ho comprato il quaderno nuovo. Ho comprato i quaderni nuovi. Indefinite Articles The indefinite articles are: un, uno, una and indicate people, […]
Read moreCollective nouns are nouns that indicate a set of people, things or animals but are always in the singular. Molta gente è preoccupata per il cambiamento climatico. Lo stormo di uccelli vola nel cielo. La folla di persone protesta in piazza. The use of collective nouns often creates difficulties in agreement with verbs and adjectives because they are singular nouns but […]
Read moreda + la = dalla We use this in the same cases as “da” when the noun which follows is feminine singular and starts with a consonant. Dalla casa, dalla scuola. (From home, from school.) da + le = DALLE We use this in the same cases as “dalla” when the noun which follows is feminine plural and starts with a consonant or […]
Read moreWith comparison we compare two terms (nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs or adverbs). COMPARISON COMPARATIVE OF MAJORITY più + 1° termine di paragone Mauro è più simpatico di Giulio. (Mauro is funnier than Giulio.) COMPARATIVE OF EQUALITY tanto o così + 1° termine di paragone Mi piace (tanto) il cinema quanto il teatro. (I like the cinema as much as the […]
Read moreQuando usare “di” e quando usare “che” per introdurre il secondo termine di paragone. Comparatives of majority PIÙ + SOSTANTIVO o PRONOME Mi piacciono più le città piccole di quelle grandi. Il cibo interessa più a me che a te. PIÙ + VERBO o AVVERBIO Mi piace di più dipingere che disegnare. Marco legge più velocemente che correttamente. PIÙ + AGGETTIVO Questa chiesetta campestre è più antica della cattedrale. Comparatives of minority […]
Read moreThere are three kinds of comparatives in Italian: Comparativo di maggioranza (Comparatives of majority) Comparativo di minoranza (Comparatives of minority) Comparativo di uguaglianza (Comparatives of equality) Comparatives of majority and minority: To make the comparative form we should place the adverbs “più” (for a comparative of majority) or “meno” (for a comparative of minority) before the adjective. We should then […]
Read morePreposizione semplice + l’articolo determinativo (preposition + definite article) di + il = DEL We use this in the same cases as the prepositon “di” when the noun which follows is masculine singular and starts with a consonant. L’onda del mare. (The wave of the sea.) di + la = DELLA We use this in the same cases as the prepositon “di” […]
Read moreThe following time expressions can be used when talking about actions which happened in the past: L’altro giorno (The other day, not clear exactly what day): we use a past tense. L’altro giorno ho incontrato Andrea al supermercato. (The other day I met Andrea at the supermarket.) La settimana scorsa (Last week): we use a past tense. La settimana scorsa sono […]
Read moreThe passive form is used to express an action suffered by the subject. verb essere + the participio passato of the chosen verb Il quadro fu dipinto da Monet. You can also use “venire” and “andare” as auxiliaries. La colazione viene servita ogni giorno. La tesi va consegnata alla segreteria. The conjugation is the same for the verbs in -are, -ere, -ire. Io sono amato. […]
Read moreThe conditionals are formed by adding to the future root and has two tenses: 1) The Present Conditional (or Simple Conditional) is used: to express yourself politely Vorremmo parlare con il direttore di quest’albergo. (We would like to talk to the director of this hotel.) Per favore, potresti chiudere la finestra? (Could you close the window, please?) to express the possibility of carrying […]
Read moreThe main adverbs of time in Italian are: Prima (before) → used to indicate an action which took place before another. Prima di andare a lavorare, faccio la spesa. (Before I go to work, I go shopping.) Dopo (after)→ used to indicate an action which took place before another. Dopo essere andato alla posta, sono passato in banca. (After going to the post office, […]
Read moreTransitive verbs (verbs with a direct object) have a passive form as well as an active form. In the passive form it subject is not who performed the action. Active form: Subject verb object Carla legge un libro Molte persone guardano la televisione Passive form: Subject verb who performed the action Il libro è letto da Carla La televisione è […]
Read moreThe present tense is used to talk about things which happen regularly or are happening at the time of speaking. actions happening at the time of speaking: La mamma prepara la cena. (Mum is getting dinner ready.) I ragazzi giocano a calcio nel cortile. (The boys are playing football in the yard.) Giulia legge un libro. (Giulia is reading a book.) Oggi ho molto […]
Read more
