This tense is used to indicate: a continuous action in the past Examples: Il telefono squillava ininterrottamente. (The telephone was ringing all the time.) Due anni fa andavo in palestra ogni tre giorni. (Two years ago I went to the gym every three days.) Prendevamo il treno ogni mattina alle 6:00. (We took the train every morning at 6 am.) or a […]
Read moreSome verbs are irregular in the direct imperative form: Essere (to be) Sii (tu) Siate (voi) Avere (to have) Abbi (tu) Abbiate (voi) Sapere (to know) Sappi (tu) Sappiate (voi) Other irregular imperative and monosyllabic verbs have two forms in the 2nd person singular: Dare (to give) Da’/ Dai (tu) Fare (to do/make) Fa’/ Fai (tu) Stare (to stay) Sta’/ Stai […]
Read moreTest your knowledge of the Italian Passive Conjugation with this interactive exercise. See also: Passive Conjugation – Italian Exercise Passive verb conjugation Italian passive form Grammar exercises: Passive form
Read moreThe imperative is used to give orders or commands and corresponds with the present indicative. Es: Sii buono! (Be good!) Fai il bravo! (Behave!) Non dirlo a nessuno! (Don’t tell anyone!) Di la verità! (Tell the truth!) Abbiate pazienza! (Be patient!) Fate piano! (Take your time!) Mangia tutto! (Eat everything!) Dormite! (Sleep!) Leggete da pag. 1 a pag. 20! (Read from page 1 to page 20!) […]
Read moreThe Italian future perfect tense is used in the following situations: Actions which will have already finished before another action takes place in the future (for which action we generally use the future simple). Example: Quando avrò finito di fare la doccia, uscirò. When I have finished my shower, I’ll go out. To show uncertainty about whether something happened or not. […]
Read moreExercise to test your knowledge of the Italian simple conditional and perfect conditional.
Read moreThe future simple tense is used to talk about: an action which has yet to happen To form the future of Italian verbs it is necessary to add the correct endings to the root of the verb. Examples: Domani andrò al mare. (I’m going to the beach tomorrow.) Partiranno la settimana prossima. (They’re leaving next week.) Pranzeremo alle 14:00. (We are going to […]
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 subjunctive (congiuntivo) used mainly in two cases: after verbs expressing opinions, thoughts or feelings, such as pensare, credere, ritenere, aver la sensazione in the hypothetical period. Present Subjunctive Credo che stiano bene insieme. (I think that they are good together.) Suppongo che Marco sia uscito. (I suppose Marco’s gone out.) Spero che torni presto. (I hope you come back soon.) Penso che tu […]
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 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 moreTest your knowledge of the sentential adverbs with this interactive Italian exercise. See also: Grammar Reference: Italian Sentential Adverbs
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 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 moreInterrogative and exclamatory adverbs are used in interrogative and exclamative sentences to talk about: Places Dov’è Nadia? (Where’s Nadia?) Dove vuoi andare a mangiare? (Where do you want to go to eat?) Dove trovi le forze per studiare così tanto? (Where do you get the strength to study so much?) Da dove arriva il nuovo vicino? (Where is the new neighbour from?) Dove si […]
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