Italian Verbs Basics Flashcards
This deck provides a rundown of the basic rules that govern Italian grammar and conjugation. You will learn about the main verb groups, subject pronouns, reflexive verbs and pronouns, irregular verbs, impersonal verbs, negation, the passive voice, and the regular conjugation endings for the tenses presented in the other decks of this product.
1
Q
What are the three main verb groups in Italian?
A
-ARE, -ERE, and -IRE
Be careful, however, because there are a great deal of irregular verbs, including the most commonly used verbs – many of them from the -ERE group.
2
Q
How do you conjugate -ARE verbs in the present indicative?
A
Add the following endings to the stem of the verb:
- o
- i
- a
- iamo
- ate
- ano
3
Q
Are you required to use subject pronouns in Italian conjugation?
A
No. Subject pronouns are often omitted since the verb form indicates the subject.
4
Q
Conjugate the verb amare (to love) in the present tense.
A
- amo
- ami
- ama
- amiamo
- amate
- amano
5
Q
How do you conjugate -ERE verbs in the present indicative?
A
- io ricevo
- tu ricevi
- lui/lei riceve
- noi riceviamo
- voi ricevete
- loro ricevono
6
Q
How do you conjugate -IRE verbs in the present indicative?
A
- dormo
- dormi
- dorme
- dormiamo
- dormite
- dormono
7
Q
How do you conjugate -ARE verbs in the imperfect tense?
A
Add the following endings to the infinitive, without the final -re:
- vo
- vi
- va
- vamo
- vate
- vano
8
Q
Conjugate the verb amare in the imperfect tense.
A
- amavo
- amavi
- amava
- amavamo
- amavate
- amavano
9
Q
How do you conjugate -ERE verbs in the imperfect indicative?
A
- ricevevo
- ricevevi
- riceveva
- ricevevamo
- ricevevate
- ricevevano
10
Q
How do you conjugate -IRE verbs in the imperfect indicative?
A
- dormivo
- dormivi
- dormiva
- dormivamo
- dormivate
- dormivano
11
Q
How do you conjugate -ARE verbs in the present perfect?
A
Take the present tense of the auxiliary verb (essere or avere) and add the past participle of the verb you are conjugating.
12
Q
Conjugate the verb amare in the present perfect tense.
A
- ho amato
- hai amato
- ha amato
- abbiamo amato
- avete amato
- hanno amato
13
Q
How do you conjugate -ERE verbs in the present perfect?
A
- ho ricevuto
- hai ricevuto
- ha ricevuto
- abbiamo ricevuto
- avete ricevuto
- hanno ricevuto
14
Q
How do you conjugate -IRE verbs in the present perfect?
A
- ho dormito
- hai dormito
- ha dormito
- abbiamo dormito
- avete dormito
- hanno dormito
15
Q
How do you conjugate -ARE verbs in the past perfect?
A
Take the imperfect tense of the auxiliary verb (essere or avere) and add the past participle of the verb you are conjugating.
16
Q
Conjugate the verb amare in the past perfect tense.
A
- avevo amato
- avevi amato
- aveva amato
- avevamo amato
- avevate amato
- avevano amato
17
Q
How do you conjugate -ERE verbs in the past perfect?
A
- avevo ricevuto
- avevi ricevuto
- aveva ricevuto
- avevamo ricevuto
- avevate ricevuto
- avevano ricevuto
18
Q
How do you conjugate -IRE verbs in the past perfect?
A
- avevo dormito
- avevi dormito
- aveva dormito
- avevamo dormito
- avevate dormito
- avevano dormito
19
Q
How do you conjugate -ARE verbs in the remote past?
A
Add the following endings to the stem of the verb:
- ai
- asti
- ò
- ammo
- aste
- arono
20
Q
Conjugate the verb amare in the remote past tense.
A
- amai
- amasti
- amò
- amammo
- amaste
- amarono
21
Q
How do you conjugate -ERE verbs in the simple past?
A
- ricevetti
- ricevesti
- ricevette
- ricevemmo
- riceveste
- ricevettero
22
Q
How do you conjugate -IRE verbs in the simple past?
A
- dormii
- dormisti
- dormì
- dormimmo
- dormiste
- dormirono
23
Q
How do you conjugate -ARE verbs in the remote pluperfect?
A
Take the simple past tense of the auxiliary verb (essere or avere) and add the past participle of the verb you are conjugating.
24
Q
Conjugate the verb amare in the remote pluperfect.
A
- ebbi amato
- avesti amato
- ebbe amato
- avemmo amato
- aveste amato
- ebbero amato
25
How do you conjugate -ERE verbs in the remote pluperfect?
* ebbi ricevuto
* avesti ricevuto
* ebbe ricevuto
* avemmo ricevuto
* aveste ricevuto
* ebbero ricevuto
26
How do you conjugate -IRE verbs in the remote pluperfect?
* ebbi dormito
* avesti dormito
* ebbe dormito
* avemmo dormito
* aveste dormito
* ebbero dormito
27
How do you conjugate -ARE verbs in the future?
Add the following endings to the stem of the verb:
* **erò**
* **erai**
* **erà**
* **eremo**
* **erete**
* **eranno**
28
Conjugate the verb *amare* in the future.
* am**erò**
* am**erai**
* am**erà**
* am**eremo**
* am**erete**
* am**eranno**
29
How do you conjugate -ERE verbs in the future?
* ricev**erò**
* ricev**erai**
* ricev**erà**
* ricev**eremo**
* ricev**erete**
* ricev**eranno**
30
How do you conjugate -IRE verbs in the future?
* dorm**irò**
* dorm**irai**
* dorm**irà**
* dorm**iremo**
* dorm**irete**
* dorm**iranno**
31
How do you conjugate -ARE verbs in the future perfect?
Take the future of the auxiliary verb (*essere* or *avere*) and add the past participle of the verb you are conjugating.
32
Conjugate the verb *amare* in the future perfect.
* avrò amato
* avrai amato
* avrà amato
* avremo amato
* avrete amato
* avranno amato
33
How do you conjugate -ERE verbs in the future perfect?
* avrò ricevuto
* avrai ricevuto
* avrà ricevuto
* avremo ricevuto
* avrete ricevuto
* avranno ricevuto
34
How do you conjugate -IRE verbs in the future perfect?
* avrò dormito
* avrai dormito
* avrà dormito
* avremo dormito
* avrete dormito
* avranno dormito
35
How do you conjugate -ARE verbs in the present subjunctive?
Add the following endings to the stem of the verb:
* **i**
* **i**
* **i**
* **iamo**
* **iate**
* **ino**
36
Conjugate the verb *amare* in the present subjunctive.
* am**i**
* am**i**
* am**i**
* am**iamo**
* am**iate**
* am**ino**
37
How do you conjugate -ERE verbs in the present subjunctive?
* ricev**a**
* ricev**a**
* ricev**a**
* ricev**iamo**
* ricev**iate**
* ricev**ano**
38
How do you conjugate -IRE verbs in the present subjunctive?
* dorm**a**
* dorm**a**
* dorm**a**
* dorm**iamo**
* dorm**iate**
* dorm**ano**
39
How do you conjugate -ARE verbs in the past subjunctive?
Take the present subjunctive of the auxiliary verb (*essere* or *avere*) and add the past participle of the verb you are conjugating.
40
Conjugate the verb *amare* in the past subjunctive.
* abbia amato
* abbia amato
* abbia amato
* abbiamo amato
* abbiate amato
* abbiano amato
41
How do you conjugate -ERE verbs in the past subjunctive?
* abbia ricevuto
* abbia ricevuto
* abbia ricevuto
* abbiamo ricevuto
* abbiate ricevuto
* abbiano ricevuto
42
How do you conjugate -IRE verbs in the past subjunctive?
* abbia dormito
* abbia dormito
* abbia dormito
* abbiamo dormito
* abbiate dormito
* abbiano dormito
43
How do you conjugate -ARE verbs in the imperfect subjunctive?
Add the following endings to the stem of the verb:
* **assi**
* **assi**
* **asse**
* **assimo**
* **aste**
* **assero**
44
Conjugate the verb *amare* in the imperfect subjunctive.
* am**assi**
* am**assi**
* am**asse**
* am**assimo**
* am**aste**
* am**assero**
45
How do you conjugate -ERE verbs in the imperfect subjunctive?
* ricev**essi**
* ricev**essi**
* ricev**esse**
* ricev**essimo**
* ricev**este**
* ricev**essero**
46
How do you conjugate -IRE verbs in the imperfect subjunctive?
* dorm**issi**
* dorm**issi**
* dorm**isse**
* dorm**issimo**
* dorm**iste**
* dorm**issero**
47
How do you conjugate -ARE verbs in the pluperfect subjunctive?
Take the imperfect subjunctive of the auxiliary verb (*essere* or *avere*) and add the past participle of the verb you are conjugating.
48
Conjugate the verb *amare* in the pluperfect subjunctive.
* avessi amato
* avessi amato
* avesse amato
* avessimo amato
* aveste amato
* avessero amato
49
How do you conjugate -ERE verbs in the pluperfect subjunctive?
* avessi ricevuto
* avessi ricevuto
* avesse ricevuto
* avessimo ricevuto
* aveste ricevuto
* avessero ricevuto
50
How do you conjugate -IRE verbs in the pluperfect subjunctive?
* avessi dormito
* avessi dormito
* avesse dormito
* avessimo dormito
* aveste dormito
* avessero dormito
51
How do you conjugate -ARE verbs in the present conditional?
Take the infinitive without its ending **-are** and add the following endings:
* **erei**
* **eresti**
* **erebbe**
* **eremmo**
* **ereste**
* **erebbero**
52
Conjugate the verb *amare* in the present conditional.
* am**erei**
* am**eresti**
* am**erebbe**
* am**eremmo**
* am**ereste**
* am**erebbero**
53
How do you conjugate -ERE verbs in the present conditional?
* ricev**erei**
* ricev**eresti**
* ricev**erebbe**
* ricev**eremmo**
* ricev**ereste**
* ricev**erebbero**
54
How do you conjugate -IRE verbs in the present conditional?
* dorm**irei**
* dorm**iresti**
* dorm**irebbe**
* dorm**iremmo**
* dorm**ireste**
* dorm**irebbero**
55
How do you conjugate -ARE verbs in the past conditional?
Take the present conditional of the auxiliary verb (*essere* or *avere*) and add the past participle of the verb you are conjugating.
56
Conjugate the verb *amare* in the past conditional.
* avrei amato
* avresti amato
* avrebbe amato
* avremmo amato
* avreste amato
* avrebbero amato
57
How do you conjugate -ERE verbs in the past conditional?
* avrei ricevuto
* avresti ricevuto
* avrebbe ricevuto
* avremmo ricevuto
* avreste ricevuto
* avrebbero ricevuto
58
How do you conjugate -IRE verbs in the past conditional?
* avrei dormito
* avresti dormito
* avrebbe dormito
* avremmo dormito
* avreste dormito
* avrebbero dormito
59
How do you conjugate -ARE verbs in the imperative?
For the second-person singular and second-person plural, add the following endings to the stem of the verb: **-a** **-ate**
The first-person singular doesn't exist. The third-person singular and first and third-person plural are replaced by the corresponding conjugations of the present subjunctive.
60
Where do you place the subject pronouns in the imperative?
Unlike all the other tenses, the subject pronouns should follow verbs in the imperative. That said, recall that Italians commonly skip using the subject pronouns in all tenses.
61
Conjugate the verb *amare* in the imperative.
* am**a** tu
* ami lui/lei
* amiamo noi
* am**ate** voi
* amino loro
62
How do you conjugate -ERE verbs in the imperative?
* ricev**i**
* riceva
* riceviamo
* ricev**ete**
* ricevano
63
How do you conjugate -IRE verbs in the imperative?
* dorm**i**
* dorma
* dormiamo
* dorm**ite**
* dormano
64
How do you conjugate -ARE verbs in the present gerund?
Add the following ending to the stem of the verb: **-ando**
65
Conjugate the verb *amare* in the gerund.
am**ando**
66
How do you conjugate -ERE verbs in the present gerund?
ricev**endo**
67
How do you conjugate -IRE verbs in the present gerund?
dorm**endo**
68
How do you form the past participle of -ARE verbs?
Add the following ending to the stem of the verb: **-ato**.
## Footnote
Recall that past participles should change in gender and number depending on the subject.
69
Form the past participle of *amare*.
am**ato**
70
How do you form the past participle of -ERE verbs?
ricev**uto**
71
How do you form the past participle of -IRE verbs?
dorm**ito**
72
How do you conjugate verbs in the negative imperative?
It's the same as the affirmative imperative, with the exception that the second-person singular form changes to the verb's infinitive.
73
Conjugate *mangiare* (to eat) in the negative imperative.
* **non mangiare** tu
* non mangi lui/lei
* non mangiamo noi
* non mangiate voi
* non mangino loro
74
Conjugate *partire* (to leave) in the negative imperative.
* **non partire**
* non parta
* non partiamo
* non partite
* non partano
75
What is the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs?
Transitive verbs are action verbs that have a direct object, whereas intransitive verbs don't have objects: "I eat cake" (transitive) vs. "I slept" (intransitive).
76
When do you choose *avere* as an auxiliary verb?
*Avere* is mostly used with transitive verbs. Example: *Ho mangiato una mela*. "I ate an apple."
77
When do you choose *essere* as an auxiliary verb?
*Essere* is mostly used with intransitive verbs. Example: *Marco è appena arrivato*. "Marco has just arrived."
78
What should you pay close attention to when using *essere* as an auxiliary verb in compound tenses?
When used with *essere*, the participle has to agree in gender and number with the subject. Example: *Le ragazze sono appena arrivate*. "The girls have just arrived."
79
Some verbs can use both *essere* and *avere* as their auxiliary verbs in compound tenses, depending on if they are used transitively or intransitively. How does this work?
The verb should use the auxiliary verb *avere* when used transitively: *Il professore* **ha cominciato** *la lezione*. "The professor has started the lesson."
The verb should use the auxiliary verb *essere* when used intransitively: *Il film* **è cominiciato**. "The movie has started."
80
What are reflexive verbs?
They are verbs whose subject acts on itself. Example: the reflexive form of the verb *vestire*, "to dress," is *vestirsi*. This literally translates to "to dress oneself."
81
How is the infinitive tense of a reflexive verb formed?
Drop the **-e** from the infinitive and add the pronoun **si**. Examples: svegliar**si** (to wake up), pettinar**si** (to comb oneself), guardar**si** (to look at oneself).
82
How do you conjugate reflexive verbs?
They are conjugated normally, only you must remember to add the appropriate reflexive pronoun to the conjugation. The six reflexive pronouns are: **mi, ti, si, ci, vi, si**.
83
How do you conjugate *lavare* (to wash) in the reflexive form of the present indicative?
Lavarsi:
* io **mi** lavo
* tu **ti** lavi
* lui/lei **si** lava
* noi **ci** laviamo
* voi **vi** lavate
* loro **si** lavano
84
Can all verbs be conjugated in the passive form?
No. Only transitive verbs have the passive voice.
85
How does the passive voice work?
The object of the active form becomes the subject of the passive one. In Italian, the passive voice is created by the verb *essere* plus the past participle of the main verb. *Essere* should be in the same tense as the verb in its corresponding active sentence. The past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject.
## Footnote
Example: *Io pago l'affitto* - "I pay the rent" (active form) vs. *l'affitto* **è pagato** *da me* - "The rent is paid by me" (passive form)
86
Is *essere* the only auxiliary verb used for the passive voice?
No, with simple tenses (but not compound tenses) the verb *essere* can be replaced with the verb *venire*. The passive voice is the only time *venire* can be used as an auxiliary verb.
87
Conjugate the verb *amare* in the passive form of the present indicative.
* io **sono amato/a**
* tu **sei amato/a**
* lui/lei **è amato/a**
* noi **siamo amati/e**
* voi **siete amati/e**
* loro **sono amati/e**
88
Conjugate the verb *portare* (to bring, to take) in the passive form of the past subjunctive.
* io **sia stato portato/a**
* tu **sia stato portato/a**
* lui/lei **sia stato portato/a**
* noi **siamo stati portati/e**
* voi **siate stati portati/e**
* loro **siano stati portati/e**
89
Conjugate the verb *iscrivere* (to enroll) in the passive form of the simple past, using *venire* as the auxiliary verb.
* io **venni iscritto/a**
* tu **venisti iscritto/a**
* lui/lei **venne iscritto/a**
* noi **venimmo iscritti/e**
* voi **veniste iscritti/e**
* loro **vennero iscritti/e**
90
In which circumstances is the subjunctive required?
* to express hopes and desires
* to express fears, doubts, and disappointment
* to express opinions
91
What are some common verbs expressing hope and desire that need to be followed by the subjunctive?
* *sperare* (to hope)
* *volere* (to want)
* *desiderare* (to wish)
92
What are some common verbs expressing fear, doubt, and disappointment that need to be followed by the subjunctive?
* *temere* (to be afraid)
* *dispiacere* (to be sorry)\*
* *dubitare* (to doubt)
* *non essere sicuro/a/i/e* (to not be sure)
## Footnote
\*the verb *dispiacere* is used like the verb piacere
93
What are some common phrases and verbs expressing opinions that need to be followed by the subjunctive?
* *è bene/è meglio* (it's better/it would be better)
* *bisogna/è necessario* (it is necessary)
* *pensare* (to think)
* *credere* (to believe)
* *immaginare* (to imagine)
94
# Translate to Italian:
I think that the professor is late.
*Penso che il professore sia in ritardo*.
## Footnote
Note that the subjunctive is required here, whereas in English only the indicative is needed.
95
When is the conditional used?
The conditional is used to describe events that aren't guaranteed to happen, and that are dependent on certain conditions. In English, its equivalent is frequently the form "would + verb."
## Footnote
Example: **Vorrei** *andare con te*. "I would like to go with you."
96
How can you make a request in Italian?
There are three ways to request something. The first is with the imperative. However, Italians often use the present indicative to make requests in informal settings. To request something politely, especially when addressing strangers, you should use the conditional.
## Footnote
Example: *Mi* **potresti** *passare l'acqua per favore?* - "Could you please pass me the water?"
97
Can the subjunctive and the conditional be used together?
Yes, in the hypothetical sense, to express an improbable or impossible condition: **se** + past subjunctive + present conditional (improbability in the present)
## Footnote
Example: *Se avessi tempo, verrei*. "If I had time, I would come."
**se** + pluperfect subjunctive + past conditional (impossibility in the past)
Example: *Se avessi avuto tempo, sarei venuto*. "If I had had time, I would have come."
98
What are impersonal verbs?
Impersonal verbs are verbs with no determinate subject. They can only be conjugated in the third person in all moods except for the imperative, which does not exist for impersonal verbs.
## Footnote
Example: the verb *piovere*, "to rain", can only be conjugated in the third-person singular, *piove* - "it's raining."
99
What are some common impersonal verbs used to talk about weather?
Some verbs used to talk about weather:
* *piovere* - "to rain"
* *nevicare* - "to snow"
* *piovigginare* - "to drizzle"
* *diluviare* - "to pour"
* *tuonare* - "to thunder"
* *rannuvolarsi* - "to cloud over"
* *annebbiarsi* - "to grow foggy"
* *grandinare* - "to hail"
* *albeggiare* - "to dawn"
100
Many impersonal verbs are used to tell facts and express opinions, feelings, and needs. List some of them.
* *accadere* - "to happen/to occur"
* *succedere* - "to happen/to occur"
* *avvenire* - "to happen/to occur"
* *bastare* - "to be enough"
* *bisognare* - "to need/to be necessary"
* *parere* - "to seem/to appear"
* *sembrare* - "to seem/to appear"
* *importare* - "to interest/to matter"
101
# Translate to Italian:
We happen to make mistakes.
*Succede di sbagliare*.
## Footnote
Note that this literally translates to "It happens to make mistakes."
102
# Translate to Italian:
You need to study more.
*Bisogna che studi di più*.
## Footnote
Note that this literally translates to "It is needed that you study more."
103
# Translate to Italian:
He seemed happy.
*Sembrava che fosse felice*.
## Footnote
Note that this literally translates to "It seemed that he was happy."
104
Apart from verbs about weather and some verbs used to tell facts and opinions, are there other verbs that can be used impersonally?
Yes! All verbs can be used impersonally when the subject is not known, by using *si* as follows: **si** + verb in the third-person singular form.
## Footnote
In English *si* can be translated as "one/people/they/we."
*Si dice che domani pioverà* - "They say that tomorrow it's going to rain"
*Non si accettano gli assegni* - "We don't take checks"
*Si vede che sei felice* - "One can see that you are happy"
105
How do you use the verb *piacere*?
The verb *piacere* works in a completely different way from its English equivalent "to like." Its construction is similar to the English "to be pleasing." *Piacere* always needs an indirect object (the person who is pleased). The subject is always the person or the object that pleases.
## Footnote
**Agli italiani** *piace* **il caffé** - "Italians like coffee." (Note that *il caffé* is the subject of the sentence, so *piacere* is conjugated in the third-person singular.)
106
How do you use the verb *mancare*?
The verb *mancare* is similar to the verb *piacere*. It differs from its English equivalent "to miss." The person or object that is missed becomes the subject in Italian. *Mancare* always needs an indirect object (the person who is missing).
## Footnote
*A* **Maria** *mancano* **i suoi nipoti** - "Maria misses her grandsons." (Note that *i nipoti*, "the grandsons," is the subject of the sentence, so *mancare* is conjugated in the third-person plural.)
107
How should you address a stranger in Italian?
Use the third-person singular form to address someone you don't know. When using subject pronouns, *Lei* is the default pronoun when addressing either a man or a woman. Note that for a group of people, you would simply use the second-person plural.
