Exercises – Grammar

The past infinitive is formed as follows:

“avere” or “essere” + past participle

It is equivalent to the English combination of “having” followed by the past participle, e.g., “having finished”,“having eaten”,“having seen”, etc.

Notice that the subject is the same in the main clause and the subordinate clause. In Italian, unlike in English where the subject is repeated, we use the infinitive preceded by “di” to avoid repeating the subject.

If the subordinate clause is in the past instead of the present, the past infinitive is used instead of the infinitive.

The infinitive forms “avere” and “essere” are often shortened to “aver” and “esser”, respectively, when used in the past infinitive in daily informal speech.

The past infinitive is formed as follows:

“avere” or “essere” + past participle

It is equivalent to the English combination of “having” followed by the past participle, e.g., “having finished”,“having eaten”,“having seen”, etc.

One common use of the past infinitive in Italian is when there are two actions in the past and the subject is the same. We can also use the past infinitive in cases where we would normally use the infinitive in English, if the action referred to by the infinitive is in the past.

The infinitive forms “avere” and “essere” are often shortened to “aver” and “esser”, respectively, when used in the past infinitive in daily informal speech.

The past infinitive is formed as follows:

“avere” or “essere” + past participle

It is equivalent to the English combination of “having” followed by the past participle, e.g., “having finished”,“having eaten”,“having seen”, etc.

One common use of the past infinitive in Italian is when there are two actions in the past and the subject is the same. We can also use the past infinitive in cases where we would normally use the infinitive in English, if the action referred to by the infinitive is in the past.

The infinitive forms “avere” and “essere” are often shortened to “aver” and “esser”, respectively, when used in the past infinitive in daily informal speech.

The past infinitive is formed as follows:

“avere” or “essere” + past participle

It is equivalent to the English combination of “having” followed by the past participle, e.g., “having finished”,“having eaten”,“having seen”, etc.

One common use of the past infinitive in Italian is when there are two actions in the past and the subject is the same. We can also use the past infinitive in cases where we would normally use the infinitive in English, if the action referred to by the infinitive is in the past.

The past infinitive is formed as follows:

“avere” or “essere” + past participle

It is equivalent to the English combination of “having” followed by the past participle, e.g., “having finished”,“having eaten”,“having seen”, etc.

One common use of the past infinitive in Italian is when there are two actions in the past and the subject is the same. We can also use the past infinitive in cases where we would normally use the infinitive in English, if the action referred to by the infinitive is in the past.

The infinitive forms “avere” and “essere” are often shortened to “aver” and “esser”, respectively, when used in the past infinitive in daily informal speech.

In Italian, if “anche se” is followed by the imperfect subjunctive, the meaning would change to “even if,” and the preceding phrase is often in the conditional tense.

To form the stem of the verb needed for regular verb conjugation, we drop the final “-re” of the verb and attach the conjugation suffix. The suffixes are the same for the three types of verbs.

Conditional statements that contain hypothetical or unlikely assumptions such as “if I were you”, “if I were the president”, “if I had a lot of money” use the imperfect subjunctive.

To form the stem of the verb needed for regular verb conjugation, we drop the final “-re” of the verb and attach the conjugation suffix. The suffixes are the same for the three types of verbs.

Whereas the present subjunctive is used to express opinion, possibility, and feelings such as fear, doubt, hope, desire, etc. about something in the present or the future, the imperfect subjunctive can be used similarly but when the hope, desire, feeling etc. itself is in the past.

For example, using the present subjunctive, we can say: "Voglio che tu venga a casa mia." (I want you to come to my house.)

If that hope or desire occurred in the past, the imperfect subjunctive should be used: "Volevo che tu venissi a casa mia." (I wanted you to come to my house.)

To form the stem of the verb needed for regular verb conjugation, we drop the final “-re” of the verb and attach the conjugation suffix. The suffixes are the same for the three types of verbs.

To form the stem of the verb needed for regular verb conjugation, we drop the final “-re” of the verb and attach the conjugation suffix. The suffixes are the same for the three types of verbs.

If two actions took place in the past, the one that took place before is often described in the pluperfect indicative.

The pluperfect indicative is formed as follows:

“avere” or “essere” in the imperfect + past participle

If two actions took place in the past, the one that took place before is often described in the pluperfect indicative.

The pluperfect indicative is formed as follows:

“avere” or “essere” in the imperfect + past participle

If two actions took place in the past, the one that took place before is often described in the pluperfect indicative.

The pluperfect indicative is formed as follows:

“avere” or “essere” in the imperfect + past participle

If two actions took place in the past, the one that took place before is often described in the pluperfect indicative.

The pluperfect indicative is formed as follows:

“avere” or “essere” in the imperfect + past participle

If two actions took place in the past, the one that took place before is often described in the pluperfect indicative.

The pluperfect indicative is formed as follows:

“avere” or “essere” in the imperfect + past participle

If two actions took place in the past, the one that took place before is often described in the pluperfect indicative.

The pluperfect indicative is formed as follows:

“avere” or “essere” in the imperfect + past participle

If two actions took place in the past, the one that took place before is often described in the pluperfect indicative.

The pluperfect indicative is formed as follows:

“avere” or “essere” in the imperfect + past participle

We use the pluperfect subjunctive to to describe a hypothetical or impossible past is using the expression “como se”, translated as “as if”.

In the above example, the expression "come se" uses the pluperfect in the subjunctive mood to describe a hypothetical or impossible past.

We use the pluperfect subjunctive to describe a hypothetical or impossible past. The pluperfect tense in such expressions is often preceded by the conditional “se” (if).

The pluperfect subjunctive is formed as follows:

“avere” or “essere” in the imperfect subjunctive + past participle

We use the pluperfect subjunctive to describe a hypothetical or impossible past. The pluperfect tense in such expressions is often preceded by the conditional “se” (if).

The pluperfect subjunctive is formed as follows:

“avere” or “essere” in the imperfect subjunctive + past participle

We use the pluperfect subjunctive to to describe a hypothetical or impossible past is using the expression “como se”, translated as “as if”.

In the above example, the expression "come se" uses the pluperfect in the subjunctive mood to describe a hypothetical or impossible past.

One way to describe something in the passive voice is to move the noun acted upon to the beginning of the sentence to emphasize it, and use “to be” verb followed by the adjective or the past participle.

The performer of the action in the above example, denoted by “da …” (by …), can be omitted as it is deemed not to be of great significance.

One way to construct the passive voice in Italian is by using the reflexive passive “si” with transitive verbs.

The basic formula consists of the third-person verb in singular or plural, depending on the noun which follows the verb, preceded by “si.”

This is the passive construction you are likely to encounter in ads, commercials, cookbook instructions, or when the performer of the action is unknown or not as important.

Notice that ONLY transitive verbs can be used to construct sentences using the reflexive passive “se,” and the noun that follows the third-person verb can represent thing(s) or person(s).

One way to construct the passive voice in Italian is by using the reflexive passive “si” with transitive verbs.

The basic formula consists of the third-person verb in singular or plural, depending on the noun which follows the verb, preceded by “si.”

This is the passive construction you are likely to encounter in ads, commercials, cookbook instructions, or when the performer of the action is unknown or not as important.

Notice that ONLY transitive verbs can be used to construct sentences using the reflexive passive “se,” and the noun that follows the third-person verb can represent thing(s) or person(s).

One way to construct the passive voice in Italian is by using the reflexive passive “si” with transitive verbs.

The basic formula consists of the third-person verb in singular or plural, depending on the noun which follows the verb, preceded by “si.”

This is the passive construction you are likely to encounter in ads, commercials, cookbook instructions, or when the performer of the action is unknown or not as important.

Notice that ONLY transitive verbs can be used to construct sentences using the reflexive passive “se,” and the noun that follows the third-person verb can represent thing(s) or person(s).

Notice that we sometimes use the subject pronouns (we, they, it, and one) to convey a general meaning. For instance, the subject “we” in the sentence “We work better as a team” does not necessarily refer to the speaker(s) but rather refers to the general fact that humans work better as a team rather than individually. In other words, work is better as a team.

Notice also that the verbs “to work” and “to sleep” are intransitive, meaning that they do not need an object for the meaning to be complete.

On the other hand, “to feel,” “must,” and “to be” are copular verbs, meaning they connect a subject to an adjective, adverb, noun, or phrase. Examples of copular verbs include: seem, feel, appear, look, become, taste, get, sound, turn, grow, and find.

In Italian, there is a special way to express such observations or statements using the singular third-person conjugation of the verb, followed by “si” which is separated from the verb by a hyphen. Because the subject is undefined, we call this construction impersonal.

Notice that we sometimes use the subject pronouns (we, they, it, and one) to convey a general meaning. For instance, the subject “we” in the sentence “We work better as a team” does not necessarily refer to the speaker(s) but rather refers to the general fact that humans work better as a team rather than individually. In other words, work is better as a team.

Notice also that the verbs “to work” and “to sleep” are intransitive, meaning that they do not need an object for the meaning to be complete.

On the other hand, “to feel,” “must,” and “to be” are copular verbs, meaning they connect a subject to an adjective, adverb, noun, or phrase. Examples of copular verbs include: seem, feel, appear, look, become, taste, get, sound, turn, grow, and find.

In Italian, there is a special way to express such observations or statements using the singular third-person conjugation of the verb, followed by “si” which is separated from the verb by a hyphen. Because the subject is undefined, we call this construction impersonal.

Notice that we sometimes use the subject pronouns (we, they, it, and one) to convey a general meaning. For instance, the subject “we” in the sentence “We work better as a team” does not necessarily refer to the speaker(s) but rather refers to the general fact that humans work better as a team rather than individually. In other words, work is better as a team.

Notice also that the verbs “to work” and “to sleep” are intransitive, meaning that they do not need an object for the meaning to be complete.

On the other hand, “to feel,” “must,” and “to be” are copular verbs, meaning they connect a subject to an adjective, adverb, noun, or phrase. Examples of copular verbs include: seem, feel, appear, look, become, taste, get, sound, turn, grow, and find.

In Italian, there is a special way to express such observations or statements using the singular third-person conjugation of the verb, followed by “si” which is separated from the verb by a hyphen. Because the subject is undefined, we call this construction impersonal.

One way to describe something in the passive voice is to move the noun acted upon to the beginning of the sentence to emphasize it, and use “to be” verb followed by the adjective or the past participle.

The performer of the action in the above example, denoted by “da …” (by …), can be omitted as it is deemed not to be of great significance.

A pronominal verb is a verb that is accompanied by at least one pronoun. Some verbs simply change their meaning when attached to pronouns to form new idiomatic meanings that do not often make complete sense if translated literally into English.

Take, for example, the verb “andare” (to go). If we attach the pronouns “si” and “ne” to the verb “andare”, we obtain the pronominal verb “andarsene”, which means “to go away”, often encountered in the command form “Vattene!” (Go away!), that is: “va” + “ti” + “ne”, or “Andiamocene!” (Let’s go!), that is: “andiamo” + “ci” + “ne”.

A pronominal verb is a verb that is accompanied by at least one pronoun. Some verbs simply change their meaning when attached to pronouns to form new idiomatic meanings that do not often make complete sense if translated literally into English.

Take, for example, the verb “andare” (to go). If we attach the pronouns “si” and “ne” to the verb “andare”, we obtain the pronominal verb “andarsene”, which means “to go away”, often encountered in the command form “Vattene!” (Go away!), that is: “va” + “ti” + “ne”, or “Andiamocene!” (Let’s go!), that is: “andiamo” + “ci” + “ne”.

A pronominal verb is a verb that is accompanied by at least one pronoun. Some verbs simply change their meaning when attached to pronouns to form new idiomatic meanings that do not often make complete sense if translated literally into English.

Take, for example, the verb “andare” (to go). If we attach the pronouns “si” and “ne” to the verb “andare”, we obtain the pronominal verb “andarsene”, which means “to go away”, often encountered in the command form “Vattene!” (Go away!), that is: “va” + “ti” + “ne”, or “Andiamocene!” (Let’s go!), that is: “andiamo” + “ci” + “ne”.

A pronominal verb is a verb that is accompanied by at least one pronoun. Some verbs simply change their meaning when attached to pronouns to form new idiomatic meanings that do not often make complete sense if translated literally into English.

Take, for example, the verb “andare” (to go). If we attach the pronouns “si” and “ne” to the verb “andare”, we obtain the pronominal verb “andarsene”, which means “to go away”, often encountered in the command form “Vattene!” (Go away!), that is: “va” + “ti” + “ne”, or “Andiamocene!” (Let’s go!), that is: “andiamo” + “ci” + “ne”.

A pronominal verb is a verb that is accompanied by at least one pronoun. Some verbs simply change their meaning when attached to pronouns to form new idiomatic meanings that do not often make complete sense if translated literally into English.

Take, for example, the verb “andare” (to go). If we attach the pronouns “si” and “ne” to the verb “andare”, we obtain the pronominal verb “andarsene”, which means “to go away”, often encountered in the command form “Vattene!” (Go away!), that is: “va” + “ti” + “ne”, or “Andiamocene!” (Let’s go!), that is: “andiamo” + “ci” + “ne”.

A pronominal verb is a verb that is accompanied by at least one pronoun. Some verbs simply change their meaning when attached to pronouns to form new idiomatic meanings that do not often make complete sense if translated literally into English.

Take, for example, the verb “andare” (to go). If we attach the pronouns “si” and “ne” to the verb “andare”, we obtain the pronominal verb “andarsene”, which means “to go away”, often encountered in the command form “Vattene!” (Go away!), that is: “va” + “ti” + “ne”, or “Andiamocene!” (Let’s go!), that is: “andiamo” + “ci” + “ne”.

A pronominal verb is a verb that is accompanied by at least one pronoun. Some verbs simply change their meaning when attached to pronouns to form new idiomatic meanings that do not often make complete sense if translated literally into English.

Take, for example, the verb “andare” (to go). If we attach the pronouns “si” and “ne” to the verb “andare”, we obtain the pronominal verb “andarsene”, which means “to go away”, often encountered in the command form “Vattene!” (Go away!), that is: “va” + “ti” + “ne”, or “Andiamocene!” (Let’s go!), that is: “andiamo” + “ci” + “ne”.

A pronominal verb is a verb that is accompanied by at least one pronoun. An example of pronominal verbs is reflexive verbs, which have the ending “-si” in the infinitive, indicating that the action is performed on oneself.

Not all pronominal verbs are reflexive. Some verbs simply change their meaning when attached to pronouns to form new idiomatic meanings that do not often make complete sense if translated literally into English.

For example, if we attach the pronouns “ci” and “la” to the verb “avere” (to have), we obtain the pronominal verb “avercela”, which means “to be mad or angry”.

Unless the pronominal verb is in the infinitive or the imperative, the pronouns are placed in the same order before the conjugated verb. If the conjugation needs a past participle, as in the present perfect tense, the past participle takes the treatment of an adjective and must follow the ending pronoun in gender and number.

A pronominal verb is a verb that is accompanied by at least one pronoun. Some verbs simply change their meaning when attached to pronouns to form new idiomatic meanings that do not often make complete sense if translated literally into English.

Take, for example, the verb “andare” (to go). If we attach the pronouns “si” and “ne” to the verb “andare”, we obtain the pronominal verb “andarsene”, which means “to go away”, often encountered in the command form “Vattene!” (Go away!), that is: “va” + “ti” + “ne”, or “Andiamocene!” (Let’s go!), that is: “andiamo” + “ci” + “ne”.

A pronominal verb is a verb that is accompanied by at least one pronoun. An example of pronominal verbs is reflexive verbs, which have the ending “-si” in the infinitive, indicating that the action is performed on oneself.

Not all pronominal verbs are reflexive. Some verbs simply change their meaning when attached to pronouns to form new idiomatic meanings that do not often make complete sense if translated literally into English.

For example, if we attach the pronouns “ci” and “la” to the verb “avere” (to have), we obtain the pronominal verb “avercela”, which means “to be mad or angry”.

Unless the pronominal verb is in the infinitive or the imperative, the pronouns are placed in the same order before the conjugated verb. If the conjugation needs a past participle, as in the present perfect tense, the past participle takes the treatment of an adjective and must follow the ending pronoun in gender and number.

The suffix “-otto” is used to form diminutives.

It is also sometimes used to refer to baby animals.

In Italian, we mainly use the suffix “-one”, and in less common cases “-ona”, to form augmentatives.

It is common for many feminine nouns to change their gender to masculine and take the suffix “-one” to form the augmentative.

To form the augmentative, the final vowel is dropped, and the suffix is added.

The suffix “-ino/-a” is commonly used to form diminutives from masculine singular nouns and adjectives.

To form the diminutive, the final vowel is dropped, and the suffix is added.

Sometimes “-ic-” or “-ol-” is inserted before the suffix, forming the modified suffixes “-icino” or “-olino”, respectively.

The suffix “-ino/-a” is commonly used to form diminutives from masculine singular nouns and adjectives.

To form the diminutive, the final vowel is dropped, and the suffix is added.

In Italian, we mainly use the suffix “-one”, and in less common cases “-ona”, to form augmentatives.

It is common for many feminine nouns to change their gender to masculine and take the suffix “-one” to form the augmentative.

To form the augmentative, the final vowel is dropped, and the suffix is added.

The suffix “-etto/-a” is also commonly applied affectionately to names, especially female names, using the suffix feminine form “-etta”, e.g., “Lauretta” (diminutive for “Laura”), “Paoletta” (diminutive for “Paola”).

To form the diminutive, the final vowel is dropped, and the suffix is added.

Remember that “mano” (hand) is a feminine noun although it ends with an “-o”. Thus, it takes the suffix “-ina” instead of “-ino”.

The suffix “-ino” is widely used when affectionately describing or talking about babies, e.g., “faccino” (little face), “manina” (little hand), etc.

The suffix “-ino/-a” is commonly used to form diminutives from masculine singular nouns and adjectives.

To form the diminutive, the final vowel is dropped, and the suffix is added.

Sometimes “-ic-” or “-ol-” is inserted before the suffix, forming the modified suffixes “-icino” or “-olino”, respectively.