Using The Passato Prossimo – An Exercise Posted by Geoff on Jun 13, 2018
In my article Using The Passato Prossimo In Italian – Part 1 we looked at the basic rules for constructing the passato prossimo (present perfect). Here’s an exercise that will help you gauge your abilities. Fill in the gaps in the Italian sentences below. 1. A Trip to Rome Marco: Giovanni went to Rome last…
Using The Passato Prossimo In Italian – Part 1 Posted by Geoff on Jun 12, 2018
Il passato prossimo, known as the present perfect in English, is not a particularly complex construction. The key lies in knowing which auxiliary verb to use: essere or avere. In today’s article, rather than talking about the often confusing topic of transitive and intransitive verbs and how they affect the choice of which auxiliary to…
Dove Andiamo Oggi? Posted by Serena on Jun 7, 2018
It’s the last Sunday in May, la Giornata Nazionale dei Cortili e Giardini Aperti, which gives us an opportunity to explore a variety of privately owned gardens and residences which are usually off limits to the public. This year we invite a couple of English friends, Peter and Anthony, to join us in exploring the…
I Miss You! Posted by Geoff on Jun 4, 2018
Dear readers, there are so many grammatical topics that I want to cover that sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin! But let’s strike while the iron is hot and deal with another confusingly back to front concept: mancare = to miss/to be missing. If you’ve come to grips with the reverse thinking that…
Who’s There? – Translation Posted by Serena on May 31, 2018
As promised, here’s the English translation for chapter 5 of The Strange Case of the Irregular Body. Chapter 1. The Strange Case Of The Irregular Body Chapter 2. An Extremely Subjunctive Investigation Chapter 3. A Not So Perfect Witness Chapter 4. A Body Of Evidence Montecristo è l’isola più selvaggia e inospitale dell’arcipelago Toscano. Con la…
Ti Piacerebbe Fare Un Quiz? – The Answers Posted by Serena on May 29, 2018
Here are the answers to last week’s exercise Ti Piacerebbe Fare Un Quiz? 1. Laura and Eugenia discuss their travels Laura: Do you like Italy? Ti piace l’Italia? Eugenia: Yes, I particularly like Tuscany and Liguria. Sì, mi/a me piacciono in particolare la Toscana e la Liguria. Laura: What about Lunigiana, do you like it?…
Ti Piacerebbe Fare Un Quiz? Posted by Geoff on May 25, 2018
After a month of articles about piacere I think it’s time for an exercise. N.B. before you try this exercise you’ll need to have studied the following: Italian Indirect Personal Pronouns Mi Piace! – Part 1. Mi Piace! – Part 2. Mi Piace! – Part 3. Mi Piace! – Part 4 Remember the golden rule: “in…