Chapter 12 Grammar Flashcards
infinito has to forms:
the simple (present) and the compound (past) infinitive
the compound (past) infinitive is made with
the infinitive of avere or ester and a past participle
the past infinitive made with avere and essere both mean
to have + verb
with essere the past participle must
agree with subject in gender and number
object pronouns are
attached to the end of the infinitive
reflexive pronouns are
attached to the end and must match the subject
in the past infinitive the reflexive pronoun is
attached to the end of esserse
the infinitive may be used as
1) the subject of a sentence
Parlare con lui è un vero piacere.
2) an impersonal expression containing essere
Non sapevo che fosse proibito parcheggiare qui.
3) an imperative in impersonal commands
Tenere la destra.
4) object of verbs like volere, potter, and dovere expressing likes, dislikes, wishing, preferring …
Non volevano uscire. Preferivano aspettare
Most verbs require a ? before a dependent infinitive
preposition - some require an “a” others a “di”
S’è abituato a bere l’espresso
He got used to drinking espresso.
Non vuoi ammettere di aver torto?
Don’t you want to admit you’re wrong?
Most adjectives require a ? before a dependent infinitive
a preposition - some require an “a” other a “di”
Erano abituati a fare la siesta.
They were used to taking a siesta.
Silvia era ansiosa di essere sola
Silvia was anxious to be alone.
Some adjectives require ? in the reflexive form if the dependent infinitive has a passive meaning
da + infinitive
a + infinitive
Questo formaggio è buona da mangiare con la frutta
Era una cosa orribile da vedere.
Some of the adjectives that require da + infinitive if the dependent infinitive has a passive meaning
facile, difficile, bello, buono, brutto, cattivo, orribile, eccellente
Nouns require a “da” before a dependent infinitive when
the infinitive indicates the purpose and use of the noun
Dov’è la roba da mangiare?
Nouns require a “di” (sometimes ‘a’ or ‘per’)
when the infinitive expresses an active meaning
È ora di mangiare?
Is it time to eat?
The prepositions a, da, in, con, su, and tra require the ? which combines with the preposition before the infinitive
masculine singular article
Nel rispondere cerca d’essere chiaro
In answering try to be clear
Prepositions that can introduce an infinitive without an article
invece di, oltre a (oltre che), per, piuttosto che - rather than prima di, senza, tranne (che) - except