Italian sentences
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In order to structure an Italian sentence correctly it's necessary to remember some basic rules, which you will find back in this lesson.
Remember that the structure of a sentence is never really fixed, but rather changeable according to the communicative intentions of the speaker.
If you want to avoid mistakes and sound like a native speaker, it's fundamental to read, listen, and also try to speak Italian as much as possible.
Lesson outline
HideWord order in Italian
Let's analyze the main types of sentences used in everyday language.
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Affirmative sentences
The core of a basic affirmative sentence is composed of three parts, in this order:
Affirmative sentence: Subject + Verb + Object
Example: Io (Subject) + parlo (Verb) + con te (Object). (I talk with you)
If you want to add more elements to a simple sentence, it will be necessary to respect additional word order rules, which are analyzed here Italian sentence structure (word order) and here Structure of complex Italian sentences.
Negative sentences (Non)
To form simple negative sentences it's necessary to add Non (Not) before the verb you want to negate.
Negative sentence: Subject + Non + Verb + Object
- AFFIRMATIVE: Maria mangia il cioccolato. (Maria eats chocolate)
- NEGATIVE: Maria non mangia il cioccolato. (Maria doesn't eat chocolate)
If you want to know more, check out Italian negative sentences (negation).
Interrogative sentences
To ask a question in Italian, you just need to use a rising intonation of your voice; the sentence structure remains unchanged.
Don't forget to add a question mark at the end of a written sentence.
Interrogative sentence: Same structure + Rising intonation + (Question mark)
- AFFIRMATIVE: Marco è andato in montagna ieri. (Marco went to the mountains yesterday)
- INTERROGATIVE: Marco è andato in montagna ieri? (Did Marco go to the mountains yesterday?)
Wh- Questions
If you want to ask a question with one of the so-called Wh-Questions, the sentence structure changes as follows:
Wh- Questions: Interrogative adjective/adverb/pronoun + Verb + Subject
To learn more, take a look at Italian interrogative sentences (questions).
Italian conditional sentences (if-clauses)
If-clauses are introduced by the adverb Se (If).
The If-Clause can precede or follow the main clause.
If-clauses (1): Se + Clause + Comma + Main clause
If-clauses (2): Main clause + Se + Clause
To learn more, check out Italian conditional sentences (if-clauses).
Italian active and passive voice
Active sentences
The subject carries out the action expressed by the verb.
Active form: Subject + Verb + Direct object
Passive sentences
The action falls on the object, which is moved at the beginning of the sentence.
Passive form: Direct object + Verb + [Preposition Da + Subject/Agent]
The passive could also be built with Si and the following structure:
Passive with Si: Si + Verb + Rest of the sentence
To take a deeper look at this topic, go to Italian passive sentences.
Italian impersonal construction
These sentences don't have a specified subject, but are rather carried out by everyone, all.
Impersonal form: Si + Verb + Rest of the sentence
If you want to know more, go to Italian impersonal construction (Si impersonale).
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Hi everyone!
My name is Daniela, I am Italian and I come from a small town in Sicily, Southern Italy. I am a qualified Italian language teacher and a CELI examiner! I work in two language schools teaching Italian and I also teach English at school.
I love foreign languages, translating, reading and listening to music. Are you ready to start your language learning path with me? We are going to learn many things and to talk a lot, if you allow me to! Don’t worry if you’ve never studied the language before: everyone can attend my classes – from beginner to advanced students. You just need passion for what you're going to do and... a good Internet connection. Materials are provided by me!
See you online!
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My name is Luisa and I teach Italian for foreign students, English, French and German for Italian students
Since 1994, I have dedicated myself to translating and teaching thanks to my travels, abroad studies, foreign reading and writing. I provide fun and customized lessons based on the student's goals. I also triy to minimize English speaking during the lessons. I give homework exercises, and my lessons are intermixed with grammar, conversation, customs and traditions. My goal is to make certain that each student finds learning Italian exciting.
I am available for any explanations also via e mail
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Are you doing an Erasmus in Italy or Spain?
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Daniel D.
Hello Everybody
My name is Luisa and I teach Italian for foreign students, English, French and German for Italian students
Since 1994, I have dedicated myself to translating and teaching thanks to my travels, abroad studies, foreign reading and writing. I provide fun and customized lessons based on the student's goals. I also triy to minimize English speaking during the lessons. I give homework exercises, and my lessons are intermixed with grammar, conversation, customs and traditions. My goal is to make certain that each student finds learning Italian exciting.
I am available for any explanations also via e mail
J. M.
Luisa is very patient and personable. I tend to want to understand the rules that underlie the conversation and she takes the time to explain them to me (as well as all the deviations from the rules of which there are a few in Italian). Working with her got me through living in Italy for 3+ months and I look forward to continuing our lessons well into the future.
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Hi everyone!
My name is Daniela, I am Italian and I come from a small town in Sicily, Southern Italy. I am a qualified Italian language teacher and a CELI examiner! I work in two language schools teaching Italian and I also teach English at school.
I love foreign languages, translating, reading and listening to music. Are you ready to start your language learning path with me? We are going to learn many things and to talk a lot, if you allow me to! Don’t worry if you’ve never studied the language before: everyone can attend my classes – from beginner to advanced students. You just need passion for what you're going to do and... a good Internet connection. Materials are provided by me!
See you online!
C. .
Daniela has tailored our lessons to exactly what I asked for (B1 exam preparations). She is very prepared for all of our lessons and provides extra study material for me to complete as homework. I would recommend her as a tutor.
Daniela V.
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I am both a native speaker and a QUALIFIED teacher, as I hold a post-graduate degree in “Teaching Italian as a second language” and a national certification as teacher of Italian to not-native speaking.
My teaching method is COMMUNICATION-oriented and involves also the study of Italian culture and grammar. Indeed, as it happens in your mother language, the knowledge of spare words is not enough to get able to speak (i.e. INTERACT!) properly and conveniently.
I’ll prepare for you all teaching materials, tailoring lessons to your needs and interests, taking advantage from both the huge number of textbooks I hold and my creativity!
I offer lessons for all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced, as well as support in preparation to certification exams (I am also qualified ad examiner for the oral part of CELI).
Do not hesitate to get in contact with me to find a suitable time-slot for your trial lesson!
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Wonderful teacher with a broad knowledge of the structures of various languages, which I think helps to better understand students’ needs depending on their native language. Lucia uses a sophisticated platform where a student can easily find all the materials, test, or ask questions in the preparation for the next class. The class is structured in a very entertaining way, and she also has an examination focused approach if needed. Great experience, totally recommend.
Lucia P.
Hi, guys! My name is Lucia and I would like to invite you to learn Italian with me.
I am both a native speaker and a QUALIFIED teacher, as I hold a post-graduate degree in “Teaching Italian as a second language” and a national certification as teacher of Italian to not-native speaking.
My teaching method is COMMUNICATION-oriented and involves also the study of Italian culture and grammar. Indeed, as it happens in your mother language, the knowledge of spare words is not enough to get able to speak (i.e. INTERACT!) properly and conveniently.
I’ll prepare for you all teaching materials, tailoring lessons to your needs and interests, taking advantage from both the huge number of textbooks I hold and my creativity!
I offer lessons for all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced, as well as support in preparation to certification exams (I am also qualified ad examiner for the oral part of CELI).
Do not hesitate to get in contact with me to find a suitable time-slot for your trial lesson!
A. P.
Lucia is an excellent teacher of the Italian language with an excellent methodology, with a perfectly organized and individualized teaching program that meets the needs and level of each student and with a willingness to offer multidimensional tools to achieve the purpose of the courses. At the same time, she is an extremely noble and pleasant person, with amazing contagion in her field! An excellent teacher whom I feel extremely lucky to have met!
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