Italian verbs, the tenses Flashcards

Question 1

Q

This new deck of flashcards is being constructed.

New cards are being added and existing cards are being edited.

We’ll be finished soon, thank you.

Question 2

Q

What are verbs?

Answer

A

Verbs are words that express an action, an occurrence, or a mode of being.

Question 3

Q

What are tenses and moods?

Answer

A

Tense: Reflects whether the action is taking place in the past, present or future

Mood or Manner of Being: A verb inflection expressing how the action or state is conceived by the speaker and if the verb is transitive (requires a direct object) or intransitive (does not take an object; has only one argument, its subject).

Indicative mood is used to make a statement

To give an order or make a request one uses the imperative mood

The subjunctive mood is used to express hope, fear, possibility and doubt and mainly in sentences with dependent clauses introduced by “che”

Question 4

Q

What are the tenses for beginner learners to become familiar with in Italian?

Answer

A

present indicative
present perfect indicative
present infinitive
imperative
imperfect indicative

Question 5

Q

What are the tenses for intermediate learners in Italian to become familiar with?

(in addition to the tenses for beginner learners)

Answer

A

present conditional
conditional perfect
past absolute
pluperfect
future
future perfect
present subjunctive
imperfect subjunctive
past infinitive

Question 6

Q

When is the present indicative tense used?

beginner level

Answer

A

The present indicative tense is used for actions taking place in the present or in the near future.

For example; io parlo =

I speak,
I do speak,
I am speaking,
I will speak [immediate future].

Question 7

Q

How is the present indicative tense formed?

Answer

A

For regular verbs, to form the present indicative tense, take away the -are, -ere or -ire ending from the infinitive form of the verb and replace it with the following endings.

-ARE__-ERE__-IRE

io -o -o -o
tu -i -i -i
lui/lei/Lei -a -e -e
noi -iamo -iamo -iamo
voi -ate -ete -ite
loro -ano -ono -ono

Question 8

Q

What are some examples of the present indicative tense?

Answer

A

infinitive: parlare Io parlo italiano.
* I speak Italian.*
infinitive: scrivere Paolo (lui) scrive spesso.
* Paolo writes often.*
infinitive: partire I ragazzi (loro) partono per l’Italia domani.
* The guys leave for Italy tomorrow.*

Question 9

Q

When is the present perfect indicative tense used?

beginner level

Answer

A

The present perfect indicative expresses a completed action in the past. It is a compound tense that has two parts.

Question 10

Q

How is the present perfect indicative tense formed for transitive (usually avere taking) verbs?

Answer

A

Passato prossimo - verbi transitivi

avere in the present tense + past participle (p.p.) of the verb of action

io ho + (-ato/-uto/-ito)
tu hai + (-ato/-uto/-ito)
lui/lei/Lei ha + (-ato/-uto/-ito)
noi abbiamo + (-ato/-uto/-ito)
voi avete + (-ato/-uto/-ito)
loro hanno + (-ato/-uto/-ito)

Agree the ending of the p.p. with direct object pronouns lo, la, li, le & ne if they precede the verb.

Question 11

Q

What are some examples of the present perfect indicative tense?

Answer

A

Ho comprato due biglietti.

I bought two tickets.

Avete ricevuto il regalo?

Did you guys receive the gift?

Siamo partiti per Verona alle sei.

We left for Verona at 6 o’clock.

Question 12

Q

When is the present infinitive used?

beginner level

Answer

A

The present infinitive is used:

after an impersonal expression that has no subject e.g. È importante sorridere.
when the infinitive expresses a noun (subject or object) e.g. Ballare fa bene alla forma.
after modal verbs e.g. Voglio essere…
often for instructions e.g. in recipes or signs.
with supporting verbs, often also with a preposition, e.g. penso di essere divertente.
used when the subject of the two clauses is the same, e.g. (io) penso di (io) preparare una torta.
for a negative imperative in the ‘tu’ form e.g. non essere pigra!

Question 13

Q

How is the present infinitive tense formed?

Answer

A

ARE -ERE -IRE
are -ere -ire

Question 14

Q

What are some examples of the present infinitive?

Answer

A

Camminare fa bene alla salute.

Walking is good for your health.

È meglio restare a casa al momento.

It’s better to stay home at the moment.

Preferiscono viaggiare in treno.

They prefer to travel by train.

Question 15

Q

When is the imperative tense used?

beginner level

Answer

A

The imperative is used:

to give an order or express a command,
to encourage or to pressure,
as an invitation or
to offer a suggestion or advice.

You will ususally see an exclamation mark ! at the end of a sentence using the imperative tense. Note that there is no ‘io’ form as you grammatically cannot give yourself an order.

Question 16

Q

How is the imperative tense formed?

Answer

A

-ARE-ERE-IRE

io - - -
tu -a -i -i
lui/lei/Lei -i -a -a
noi -iamo -iamo -iamo
voi -ate -ete -ite
loro -ino -ano -ano

Question 17

Q

What are some examples of the imperative?

Answer

A

Mi scusi Dottore!

Excuse me Doctor!

Mangia!

Eat!

Finite i compiti!

Finish the homework!

Question 18

Q

When is the past absolute tense used?

intermediate level

Answer

A

The past absolute is used for completed actions in the past, like the present perfect tense, however is normally used for actions or events that are detached from the present e.g. historical events.

Question 19

Q

How is the past absolute tense formed?

Answer

A

-ARE -ERE -IRE

io -ai -ei -ii

tu -asti -esti -isti

lui/lei/Lei -ò -è -ì

noi -ammo -emmo -immo

voi -aste -este -iste

loro -arono -erono -irono

Question 20

Q

When is the imperfect indicative tense used?

beginner level

Answer

A

The imperfect indicative tense is used to express actions in the past;

that were continuous or
incomplete (hence imperfect) or
descriptive.

It is used when talking about:

The time, weather, environment, age, physical and mental states of being.
Habitual actions in the past.
Actions that were taking place while another was taking place or was completed.

Question 21

Q

How is the imperfect indicative tense formed for regular verbs?

Answer

A

-ARE-ERE-IRE

io -avo -evo -ivo
tu -avi -evi -ivi
lui/lei/Lei -ava -eva -iva
noi -avamo -evamo -ivamo
voi -avate -evate -ivate
loro -avano -evano -ivano

Notice you maintain the same vowel as the infinitive ending (-a -e -i) and that the underlined endings are the same :-)

Question 22

Q

What are some examples of the imperfect indicative tense?

Answer

A

Aveva cinque anni quando ho iniziato a sciare.

I was 5 when I began to ski.

Fuori nevicava.

It was snowing outside.

Andavamo al mare ogni domenica.

Mentre Allegra dormiva io preparavo la cena.

While Allegra slept I was preparing dinner.

Question 23

Q

When is the present conditional tense used?

intermediate level

Answer

A

The present conditional is used for;

a polite request,
a wish or desire,
a preference or
an intention
used in the ‘if clause’ hypothetical situation

i.e. something that someone would do; something that would happen or something that would be the case.

However when expressing a habitual action in the past and in English we say “I would / I used to” then we use the imperfect tense.

N.B. the modal verbs in the conditioanl translate as follows:

DOVERE: Dovrei = I should / I ought to
VOLERE: Vorrei = I would like
POTERE: Potrei = I could / I might??

Question 24

Q

How is the present conditional tense formed for regular verbs?

Answer

A

-ARE -ERE -IRE

io -erei -erei -irei
tu -eresti -eresti -iresti
lui/lei/Lei -erebbe -erebbe -irebbe
noi -eremmo -eremmo -iremmo
voi -ereste -ereste -ireste
loro -erebbero -erebbero -irebbero

Question 25

Q

What are some examples of the present conditional tense?

Answer

A

Mangeresti con me domani sera?

Would you eat with me tomorrow evening?

Vorrei un chilo di fragole per favore.

I would like a kilo of strawberries please.

Preferireste guardare la partita?

Would you guys prefer to watch the match?

Comprerebbero una bici italiana?

Would they buy an Italian bike?

Question 26

Q

When is the present subjunctive used?

intermediate level

Answer

A

The present subjunctive expresses something “subjective” in the present.

It is used for

opinions,
beliefs,
feelings,
doubt,
fear,
uncertainty,
possibility,
hope,
emotion and
volition.

It is normally used after the word “che” in the dependent clause.

When the subject of the two clauses of the sentence are the same then you use the infinitive. e.g. (io) spero di andare Siracusa questo fine settimana. I hope to go to Siracusa this weekend. (“I hope that I go…”)

Question 27

Q

How is the present subjunctive formed?

Answer

A

-ARE -ERE -IRE

io -i -a -a

tu -i -a -a

lui/lei/Lei -i -a -a

noi -iamo -iamo -iamo

voi -iate -iate -iate

loro -ino -ano -ano

N.B. Because the first 3 conjugations have the same ending the subject pronouns are used (if there is no noun) to avoid confusion or ambiguity.

Question 28

Q

What are some examples of the present subjunctive tense?

Answer

A

Siamo contenti che non piova oggi.

We are happy that it is not raining today.

Paolo spera che tu legga il libro.

Paolo hopes that you read the book.

Dubitiamo che parlino tedesco.

We doubt that they speak German.

Question 29

Q

When is the conditional perfect tense used?

intermediate level

Answer

A

The conditional perfect is used when you want to express;

a wish or desire in the past,
a preference in the past or
an intention in the past.

The word “would” always is always used in the conditional tense.

something someone would have done,
something that would have happened or
something that would have been the case.

It is used to express the future in the past e.g. Ha detto che sarebbe venuta. She said she would come.

Sometimes the construction appears to call for the subjunctive. e.g. Credevo che dopo il film sarebbero andati a cena. I believed that after the movie they would go to dinner.

Question 30

Q

How is the conditional perfect tense formed with transitive (usually avere taking) verbs?

Answer

A

Condizionale passato - verbi transitivi

avere in the conditional tense + past participle (p.p.) of the verb of action:

io avrei + (-ato/-uto/-ito)
tu avresti + (-ato/-uto/-ito)
lui/lei/Lei avrebbe + (-ato/-uto/-ito)
noi avremmo + (-ato/-uto/-ito)
voi avrete + (-ato/-uto/-ito)
loro avranno + (-ato/-uto/-ito)

Agree the ending of the p.p. with direct object pronouns lo, la, li, le & ne if they precede the verb.

Question 31

Q

How is the conditional perfect tense formed with intransitive (usually essere taking verbs)?

Answer

A

Condizionale passato - verbi intransitivi

essere in the conditional tense + past participle (p.p.) of the verb of action which agrees in gender and number with the subject.

io sarei + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)

tu saresti + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)

lui/lei/Lei sarebbe + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)

noi saremmo + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)

voi sareste + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)

loro sarebbero + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)

Question 32

Q

What are some examples of the conditional perfect tense?

Answer

A

Ha detto che sarebbe venuto alla festa.

He said he would come to the party.

Sarei arrivata in tempo se non avessi perso l’autobus.

I would’ve arrived on time if I had not missed the bus.

Avresti comprato quel vestito?

Would you have bought that dress?

* Non aveva detto che sarebbe andata in centro? *

Hadn’t she said that she would go to the city centre?

* The past conditional can also be used to express a future action when introduced by verbs in the past that are verbs of informing, telling or knowing. This corresponds to the English present conditional e.g. Hanno detto che sarebbero arrivati a mezzogiorno. They said they would arrive at midday.

Question 33

Q

When is the pluperfect tense used?

intermediate level

Answer

A

The pluperfect tense is used for actions that took place before another action in the past. It is a compound tense.

Question 34

Q

How is the pluperfect tense formed with transitive (usually avere taking) verbs?

Answer

A

Trapassato prossimo - verbi transitivi

avere in the imperfect tense + past participle (p.p.) of the verb of action:

io avevo + (-ato/-uto/-ito)
tu avevi + (-ato/-uto/-ito)
lui/lei/Lei aveva + (-ato/-uto/-ito)
noi avevamo + (-ato/-uto/-ito)
voi avevate + (-ato/-uto/-ito)
loro avevano + (-ato/-uto/-ito)

Agree the ending of the p.p. with direct object pronouns lo, la, li, le & ne if they precede the verb.

Question 35

Q

When is the simple future tense used?

intermediate level

Answer

A

Il futuro semplice.

The future tense is used to express an action that will occur in the future.

In English it can translate in 3 ways:

Andrò.

I will go. I will be going. I am going to go.

In Italian if the context is clear that it is a future action, the present indicative is often used. e.g. Domani vado al lavoro. Tomorrow I’m going to work.

The future can also be used to express probabiity or conjecture for actions in the present. e.g. Dove saranno? Where might they be?

When using some expressions of time such as “when/if/as soon as” “quando/se/ (non) appena” etc. English does not use the future yet in Italian you do. e.g. Quando andremo in Italia, visiteremo i parenti. When we go to Italy, we will visit the relatives.

Question 36

Q

How is the simple future tense formed for regular verbs?

Answer

A

-ARE -ERE -IRE

io -erò -erò -irò

tu -erai -erai -irai

lui/lei/Lei -erà -erà -irà

noi -eremo -eremo -iremo

voi -erete -erete -irete

loro -eranno -eranno -iranno

Question 37

Q

What are some examples of the future tense for regular verbs?

Answer

A

Gabriella comprerà una torta.

Gabriella will buy a cake.

Giocherai a tennis il prossimo anno? (n.b. the ‘h’ is required to maintain the same phonetic sound)

Will you play tennis next year?

L’autore scriverà un nuovo romanzo nel 2021.

The author will write a new novel in 2021.

Question 38

Q

When is the future perfect tense used?

intermediate level

Answer

A

Future perfect is used for a future action that takes place before another future action. It is a compound tense. It can also express probability in the past.

Question 39

Q

How is the future perfect tense formed with intransitive (usually essere taking) verbs?

Answer

A

Futuro anteriore- verbi intransitivi

essere in the future tense + past participle (p.p.) of the verb of action which agrees in gender and number with the subject.

io sarò + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)
tu sarai + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)
lui/lei/Lei sarà + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)
noi saremo + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)
voi sarete + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)
loro saranno + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)

Question 40

Q

When is the past infinitive tense used?

intermediate level

Question 41

Q

When is the imperfect subjunctive used?

intermediate level

Answer

A

The imperfect subjunctive is used for the same reasons as the present subunctive and is used to express and action that occurs simultaneously or subsequently to the action of the main clause which is in a past tense or in the conditional. The imperfect subjunctive is also used in ‘if clauses’ for hypothetical situations in the present or future that are unlikely yet possible.

Question 42

Q

How is the imperfect subjunctive formed?

Answer

A

-ARE -ERE -IRE

io -assi -essi -issi

tu -assi -essi -issi

lui/lei/Lei -asse -esse -isse

noi -assimo -essimo -issimo

voi -aste -este -iste

loro -assero -essero -issero

Question 43

Q

What are some examples of the imperfect subjunctive tense?

Answer

A

Pensavamo che Luca lavorasse a Milano.

We thought that Luca worked in Milan.

Vorrei che loro ascoltassero questa musica.

I would like them to listen to this music.

Preferiresti che io andassi con te?

Would you prefer that I go with you?

Question 44

Q

How is the past participle formed for regular verbs?

Answer

A

Participio passato:

ARE -ERE -IRE
ato -uto -ito

if agreement is required e.g. with intransitive verbs that take essere:

ARE -ERE -IRE
ato/ata/ati/ate -uto/uta/uti/ute -ito/ita/iti/ite

Question 45

Q

How is the past infinitive formed?

Answer

A

-ARE -ERE -IRE

The past infinitive is formed by using the inifinitve of avere or essere plus the past participle of the verb:

avere -ato avere -uto avere -ito

or

essere -ato/a/i/e essere -uto/a/i/e essere -ito/a/i/e

Question 46

Q

How are reflexive verbs formed in the present perfect indicative?

Question 47

Q

How is the present perfect indicative tense formed for intransitive (usually essere taking) verbs?

Answer

A

Passato prossimo - verbi intransitivi

essere in the present tense + past participle (p.p.) of the verb of action which agrees in gender and number with the subject.

io sono + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)
tu sei + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)
lui/lei/Lei è + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)
noi siamo + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)
voi siete + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)
loro sono + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)

Question 48

Q

What are transitive and intransitive verbs?

Question 49

Q

What are reflexive and reciprocal verbs? (incl. reflexive pronouns)

Answer

A

A reflexive verb is one where the action expressed refers back to the same subject. e.g. Mi lavo = I wash myself.

The infinitive of reflexive verbs have the following endings: -ARSI, -ERSI, -IRSI

Reflexive verbs require a reflexive pronoun.

A verb can express a reciprocal action and will follow the same grammatical rules as the reflexive verns. e.g. Ci telefoniamo ogni sera = We phone each other every night.

When reflexive or reciprocal verbs are used in compund tenses they take the auxiliary verb ESSERE and therefore the ending of the past participle must agree in number and in gender with the subject.

Question 50

Q

What are some of the verbs that trigger the subjunctive tense to be used?

Answer

A

Examples of verbs that are triggers for the subjunctive tense to be used are:

volere - to want,
sperare - to hope
credere - to believe
pensare - to think
essere contento - to be happy
desiderare - to desire

Note that the above verbs will be in the present indicative, future or imperative tense and the verb that follows will be in the present subjunctive. The verb that follows occurs simultaneously or subsequently with the first verb.

Question 51

Q

What is the part participle?

Answer

A

The past participle, participio passato, (often abbreviated as p.p.) is a form of a verb.

It is fundamental in forming compound (two part) verb tenses.

Question 52

Q

How is the past participle formed?

Answer

A

The regular past participle, il participio passato, the p.p. is formed by replacing the verb’s infinitive ending: -are, -ere, -ire with the suffixes -ato, -uto, -ito.

ARE —> -ato
ERE —> -uto
IRE —> -ito

Question 53

Q

In the subjunctive mood, what is the main clause and what is the dependent clause? When can the subjunctive be used in an independent clause/on its own?

Answer

A

The main clause is… and the dependent clause is….

The subjunctive can be used on its own:

A wish that is unlikely to be fulfilled or a regret about something not happening in the past. Often ‘almeno’, ‘magari’, ‘se’ are used. e.g. Magari fosse vero! If only / I wish it were true! Se avesse scritto quella lettera! If only he had written that letter!
A very strong wish e.g. Che Dio ti benedica! May God bless you!
To express something you doubt or presume e.g. Che abbia già letto il giornale? Do you suppose he has already real the paper?

Question 54

Q

What are some examples of the present indicative tense?

Answer

A

Giacomo abita a Bolzano.

James lives in Bolzano.

Lavori oggi?

Are you working today?

Gli amici offrono il pranzo.

The friends are offering (shouting) lunch.

Preferisco il cioccolato fondente, e tu? N.B. preferire is an -isc verb.

I prefer dark chocolate, and you?

Question 55

Q

How is the pluperfect tense formed with intransitive (usually essere taking) verbs?

Answer

A

Trapassato prossimo- verbi intransitivi

essere in the imperfect tense + past participle (p.p.) of the verb of action which agrees in gender and number with the subject.

io ero + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)
tu eri + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)
lui/lei/Lei era + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)
noi eravamo + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)
voi eravate + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)
loro erano + (-ato/a/i/e; -uto/a/i/e; -ito/a/i/e)

Question 56

Q

What are some examples of the pluperfect tense?

Answer

A

Il trapassato prossimo

Barbara non voleva andare in palestra perché aveva già fatto una corsa.

Barbara did not want to go to the gym because she had already gone for a run.

Paolo era stanco perché aveva lavorato tutta la notte.

Paolo was tired because he had worked all night.

I miei cugini non sono andati al cinema con noi perché avevano già visto quel film.

My cousins did not come (lit. go) to the cinema with us because they had already seen that film.

Mi ha detto che era stata alla stessa fiera due anni fa.

She told me she had been to the same trade show 2 years ago.

Question 57

Q

What are some examples of the future perfect tense?

Answer

A

Futuro anteriore

Andremo in spiaggia dopo che avremo finito di lavorare.

We will go to the beach after we have finished work.

Avrò finito di mangiare alle cinque.

I will have finished eating by five o’clock.

Sei in ottima forma! Sarai stata in palestra tutto l’inverno. (probability in the past)

You’re in great shape! You must have been in the gym all winter. (probability in the past)

Question 58

Q

What are some examples of the past infinitive?

Answer

A

Infinito passato

Dopo aver provato quel dolce, ho deciso di cercare la ricetta.

After having tried that dessert, I decided to look for the recipe.

Dopo esser stata sulla Costiera Amalfitana, Mattea ha deciso di leggere la sua storia.

After having been to the Amalfi Coast, Mattea decided to read about it’s history.

Aver trovato la chiavi mi ha tranquillizzato.

Having found the keys calmed me down.

Question 59

Q

How is the future perfect tense formed with transitive (usually avere taking) verbs?

Answer

A

Futuro anteriore - verbi transitivi

avere in the future tense + past participle (p.p.) of the verb of action

io avrò + (-ato/-uto/-ito)

tu avrai + (-ato/-uto/-ito)

lui/lei/Lei avrà + (-ato/-uto/-ito)

noi avremo + (-ato/-uto/-ito)

voi avrete + (-ato/-uto/-ito)

loro avranno + (-ato/-uto/-ito)

Agree the ending of the p.p. with direct object pronouns lo, la, li, le & ne if they precede the verb.

Question 60

Q

What is the ‘if clause’ and how is it formed in the present or future?

Answer

A

The ‘if’ clause is used to express a hypothetical situation.

In the present or future the ‘if’ clause is formed by using the word ‘se’ plus the imperfect subjunctive and the present conditional is used to express the outcome.

e.g. Se avessi più ferie, andrei in Italia quest’estate.

If I had more holidays, I would go to Italy this Summer.

N.B. if instead the situation is probable or real then the indicative is used instead.

There are three types of hypothetical period:

A. DELLA REALTÀ ~ Reality

it is real; an undoubted fact; a certain cause

SE = since, seeing as how

The verbs are in the indicative if

refering to a present or future period

Se parti presto, fai bene.

Se mangerà bene, si sentirà meglio.

with reference to a period in the past

Se avete letto quel libro, avete capito molto.

Se non ve l’ha spiegato, è stato perchè non poteva.

Se mi sono dimenticata di dirtelo, chiedo scusa.

Se hai finito il latte, va’ al supermercato!

In all these examples, in the English translation, there is no “would”.

B. DELLA POSSIBILITÀ ~ possibility

the hypothesis is only possible, you are not certain if it can actually happen

The verbs will be in the :

–>congiuntivo imperfetto ~ l’ipotesi: the hypothesis

–>condizionale presente ~ conseguenza: the outcome

Refering to a present period of time:

Se avesse più ferie, andrebbe anche in Francia.

Se fossero stanchi, non verrebbero.

Sarebbe una bella cosa, se avessimo la risposta.

C. DELLA IRREALTÀ ~ unreality

if the whole period if refering to the present – like in B: congiuntivo imperfetto & condizionale presente.

Se fossi in te, farei salti di gioia.

if the whole period if refering to the past -> congiuntivo trapassato & conditionale passato.

Se avessi parlato di meno, non avrei fatto tardi.

Se avreste chiamato, avreste avuto la conferma.

Congiuntivo trapassato & condizionale presente.

Se avessi mangiato di più, ora non avresti fame.

Sarebbe bello se fosse stata una bella giornata di sole.

B. & C. CONGIUNTIVO IMPERFETTO O TRAPASSATO

If there is a “would” then you need a sunjunctive in ‘if clauses’ ! :-)

There are three types of hypothetical period:

Se mangerai bene, ti sentirai meglio.

Vi bruciate, se state troppo al sole.

Con riferimento a un tempo passato

E.g. Se avete comprato quel quadro, avete speso troppo.

Se non ve l’ha detto, è stato perchè non poteva.

Se hai finito tutto il latte, va’ al supermercato.

In all these examples, in the English translation, there is no “would”.

B. DELLA POSSIBILITÀ

l’ipotesi è solo possibile, non siamo sicuri che possa verificarsi.

Verbo

congiuntivo imperfetto ~ l’ipotesi

condizionale present ~ conseguenza

Con riferimento a un tempo presente

E.g. Se vincessi alla lotteria, mi comprerei una Ferrari.

Se fosse sobrio, non canterebbe.

Sarebbe una fortuna, se fossimo promossi.

C. DELLA IRREALTÀ

se tutto il periodo è riferito al presente – like in B.

E.g. Se fossi in te, farei salti di gioia.

Se tutto il periodo è riferito al passato -> congiuntivo trapassato e conditionale passato.

Se avessi dormito di più, avrei fatto tardi.

Se avreste scritto la data, sareste stati promossi.

Condizionale presente & congiuntivo

Se avessi dormito di più, ora non sarei stanca.

Sarebbe un guaio se fossi stata bocciata.

B. & C. CONGIUNTIVO IMPERFETTO O TRAPASSATO

If there is a “would” in these types of IF CLAUSES then you need a sunjunctive! :-)

Question 61

Q

What are auxilliary verbs?

Answer

A

Auxilliary verbs, verbi ausiliari, are ‘helping’ verbs used in conjunctions with a main verb to express the correct verbal meaning of the tense. One very common use of auxilliary verbs is with compound tenses, in these two part tenses the first part will be the conjugated form of essere or avere. e.g. Abbiamo ballato molto. We danced a lot. Siete arrivati. You guys have arrived.

In Italian there are two main auxiliary verbs: ESSERE and AVERE.

A third verb, STARE, can be used as an auxiliary verb however only for the present and past progressive tenses. e.g. Sto andando al mare. I’m going to the sea. Stavamo passeggiando lungo il fiume quando abbiamo incontrato Raffaella. We were walking along the river when we met Raffaella.

Question 62

Q

What tenses use auxiliary verbs?

Answer

A

Auxiliary verbs are helping verbs as they assist the verb of action. Compound tenses are made up of two parts. Part one will be the conjugated form of the auxiliary verb ESSERE or AVERE in the apporpriate tense followed by the past participle of the verb of action. e.g.

Sono andata a Capri l’altro ieri.

I went to Capri the day before yesterday.

Loro parlavano bene l’italiano perché avevano studiato con Brainscape.

They spoke Italian well because they had studied with Brainscape.

STARE, is used as an auxiliary verb in the present and past progressive tenses. e.g.

Il treno sta partendo adesso. The train is leaving now.

Che cosa stavi facendo? What were you doing?

Question 63

Q

What are modal verbs?

Answer

A

Modal verbs, verbi modali or verbi servili, express the modality of an action.

They are like “semi-auxiliary” verbs. They are used together with a verb of action.

The Italian modal verbs dovere, potere, volere express necessity, possibility and desire/wish. Sapere can also be used as a modal verb, it would mean “to be able to.

Question 64

Q

What are the main modal verbs?

Answer

A

The Italian modal verbs dovere, potere, volere express necessity, possibility and desire/wish. Sapere can also be used as a modal verb.

Answer 61

A

see card 48 :-)

Answer 62

A

There are many -IRE ending verbs that are -ISC verbs meaning you insert -isc between the stem of the verb and the ending for the io, tu, lui/lei/Lei and loro forms in the present indicative and present subjunctive and the tu, Lei, Loro forms of the imperative.

e.g. CAPIRE = to understand

io capisco
tu capisci
lui/lei/Lei capisce
noi capiamo
voi capite
loro capiscono

Answer 63

A

Passato remoto

Giuseppe Verdi morì nel 1901. **born 10 October 1813

Giuseppe Verdi died in 1901.

Quell’anno vedemmo due tappe del Giro d’Italia.

That year we saw two stages of the Giro d’Italia.

Durante l’ultimo viaggio a Firenze visitò il Ponte Vecchio e comprò una bella collana.

During her last trip to Florence she visited the Pnte Vecchio and bought a beautiful necklace.

Answer 64

A

La concordanza dei tempi nel congiuntivo:

TENSE OF MAIN VERB

VERB IN SUBJUNCTIVE

present
future
imperative

~ present subjunctive

~ present perfect subjunctive

dipende da 1. Il tempo del verbo della frase principale; 2. Il rapporto tra il verbo della prima e della dipendente:

contemporaneità
anteriorità
posteriorità
Past tense
past descriptive
past absolute
present perfect
past perfect
Conditional
present
past

~imperfect subjunctive

~ past perfect subjunctive

Exception: if the sentence were in the indicative tense and the main verb is in the present but the second verb would be in the past descriptive: e.g. Credi che Max lavorasse all’IBM quando preparava la tesi. In this example the verb lavorasse would use the imperfetto.

COMPARISON OF TIMING:

CONTEMPORANEITÀ:

Credevo che gli esami fossero abbastanza facili.

ANTERIORITÀ:

Credevo che gli esami fossero stati abbastanza facili.

POSTERIORITÀ:

Credevo che gli esami fossero abbastanza facili / sarebbero stati abbastanza facili. [future = change to past conditional]

Answer 65

A

12345678

parlare

1 2 3 5 6 7 8

<————-|—————|—————–|————————–>

~~~~~~

4

1 2 3 5 6 7 8

<–|—|—————|————|——–|—|—|——————->

~~~~~~

4

12345678

Answer 66

A

1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9

<–|—|———|—–||————|——–|—|———|—–|–>

~~~~~~

5

1 ^{Trapassato remoto}

2^{Passato remoto}

3 ^{Trapassato prossimo indicativo, trapassato congiuntivo}

4 ^{Passato prossimo, congiuntivo passato, presente progressivo}

5 ^{Imperfetto indicativo, imperfetto congiuntivo, imperfetto progressivo}

6^{Condizionale passato}

7^{Presente indicativo, presente congiuntivo, imperativo, condizionale presente}

8 ^{Futuro anteriore}

9 ^{Futuro semplice}

Answer 67

A

Trapassato remoto

Dopo che Carlo ebbe suonato il pianoforte, tutti batterono le mani.

After Carlo had played the piano, everyone clapped their hands.

Quando ebbero finito i compiti, andarono in gelateria.

When they finished their homework, they went to the ice cream parlor.

Appena fummo usciti dal ristorante, passeggiammo per due ore.

As soon as we left the restaurant, we strolled for two hours.

Answer 68

A

The conjugated modal verb is followed by the infinitive of the verb of action. e.g.

Ho dovuto mangiare presto = I had to eat early.
Può entrare = She can enter.
Vorrei comprare una torta = I would like to buy a cake.
Sanno cantare bene = They know how to sing well.

Answer 69

A

Yes! The meaning of the dovere can change depending on what tense is used. E.g.

Ho voluto mangiare presto. = She wanted to/insisted on eating early.
Voleva mangiare presto. She wanted to eat early.
Voleva sempre mangiare presto. She always wanted to/ she used to want to eat early.

Answer 70

A

Both… it depends:

When the modal verb is used in a compound tense it can take the auxiliary verb of the verb of action, i.e. if the verb of action (the infinitive that follows the modal verb) takes AVERE then use AVERE. If instead the verb of action (the infinitive that follows the modal verb) takes ESSERE then use ESSERE.
e. g. Ho dovuto scrivere una lettera. I had to write a letter.

Siamo dovuti partire. We had to leave.

If the modal verb is taking ESSERE then the past participle will agree in gender and number with the subject.
If the infinitive is the verb essere (or you are using the passive) the modal verb will take AVERE… surprisingly!

e. g. Avrei dovuto essere a Roma oggi. I should have been in Rome today.
* If the infinitive is omitted, the modal verb takes AVERE, this is also the case if the modal verb is emphasized.
e. g. Non volevano andare via, ma hanno dovuto. Anche se non voleva, ha dovuto andare via.

They did not want to go away, but they had to. Even if he did not want to, he had to go away.

n.b. The position of the pronouns ci, ne and the reflexive pronouns determines whether you use ESSERE or AVERE as the auxiliary verb.
With ci & ne you can use ESSERE if the pronoun CI or NE is before the conjugated verb and also when the pronoun is attached to the infinitive. E.g. Non ci sono dovuto andare. OR Non sono dovuto andarci. I did not want to go there.
You can use AVERE if the pronoun CI or NE is attached to the infinitive. E.g. Non ho dovuto andarci. I did not want to go there.
If the reflexive pronoun is placed before the conjugated verb use ESSERE, if the reflexive pronoun is attached to the infinitive then use AVERE. E.g. Mi sono potuto vestire con calma. Ho potuto vestirmi con calma. I was able to dress without rushing.

Answer 71

A

Usually with modal verbs a pronoun can be placed either before the finite/conjugated verb or be attached to the end of the infinitive.

E.g. Li vorrei comprare cf. Vorrei comprarli. I would like to buy them.

Instead with non modal verbs the pronouns will attach to the end of the infinitive e.g. Continuate a comprarli? Are you guys continuing to buy them? Preferisco comprarli. I prefer to buy them.

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Italian verbs, the tenses Flashcards

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