Punto di partenza
As you learned in Lezione 1B, the infinitive is the basic
form of a verb. In English, it is preceded by the word to:
to be, to play, to eat, and so on. The infinitive in Italian is a
one-word form consisting of a stem and one of three
characteristic endings: -are, -ere, or -ire.
parlare
to speak
© and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
lẹggere
to read
partire
to leave
2A.1-1
•
To form the present tense of a regular -are verb, drop
the -are and add the endings that correspond to each
person to the stem.
© and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
2A.1-2
•
Use the
same
endings to
conjugate
other
regular -are
verbs in the
present
tense.
© and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
2A.1-3
•
The English equivalent of the Italian present tense
varies depending on the context of the sentence.
Carlo balla.
Suoni la chitarra domani?
Carlo dances.
Carlo is dancing.
Carlo does dance.
Do you play the guitar tomorrow?
Are you playing the guitar tomorrow?
Will you play the guitar tomorrow?
© and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
2A.1-4
•
Verbs whose stems end in -c or -g require a spelling
change in the tu and noi forms. Add an h to the stem in
order to maintain the hard sound of the c or g.
Giochiamo a pallacanestro.
We are playing basketball.
© and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
Spieghi le regole del gioco.
You explain the rules of the game.
2A.1-5
•
To create the tu and noi forms of most verbs with
stems ending in -i, such as mangiare and studiare,
drop the i before adding the ending.
Mangi il pesce?
Do you eat fish?
Studi bene.
You study well.
Mangiamo allo stadio.
We eat at the stadium.
Studiamo fra un’ora.
We’ll study in an hour.
© and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
2A.1-6
•
Some common verbs that are followed by a preposition
in English do not take a preposition in Italian.
Ascoltano la musica rap.
They listen to rap music.
Aspetta la sua amica.
She’s waiting for her friend.
Cerco una bicicletta.
I am looking for a bicycle.
Guardi il giocatore?
Are you looking at the player?
© and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
2A.1-7
•
Other verbs may require the use of a preposition in
Italian, especially when followed by an infinitive.
Telefonano a Luigi.
They’re telephoning Luigi.
Impara a nuotare.
He is learning to swim.
Giochiamo a calcio.
We’re playing soccer.
Cominciate a parlare.
You begin to speak.
Penso a loro.
I’m thinking about them.
Penso di studiare arabo.
I’m thinking of studying Arabic.
© and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
2A.1-8
Complete the sentences with the correct present
tense form of each verb in parentheses.
parlo (parlare) italiano.
1. Io _______
2. Giulia e Anna non _______ (studiare) spagnolo.
3. Lei _______ (cercare) una palestra vicino a casa.
4. Noi _______ (mangiare) il pesce il venerdì.
5. Tu _______ (giocare) a calcio.
6. Franca _______ (viaggiare) spesso in Europa.
7. Io e Marcello _______ (pensare) di andare alla partita.
8. Tu e Annabella _______ (incontrare) Jacopo oggi?
© and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.
2A.1-9