So far I am at lesson 10 in Italian 5; Fluenz has covered the most important in my opinion of verb tenses for students to learn (the present, the passato prossimo, and the imperfect). However, there are still many other tenses, some used more than others, that allow us to express ourselves in different ways!
I figured that I would share with all of you my journey of learning other verb tenses and maybe you can learn it too! My advice is that you are able to conjugate -Are, -Ire- and -Ere verbs and have that mastered before attempting the imperative tense because basic conjugation skills are crucial.
LET'S LEARN THE IMPERATIVE!
' The Imperative Tense' is used to give orders, commands, or strong requests. Imagine a parent yelling at their child "don't cry!" or a drill sergeant ordering "run!".. chances are the imperative tense will be used.
It is used in the tu (singular familiar), noi, voi (plural familiar), Lei (formal), Loro. From my understanding, 'Loro' is least used in this tense.
TU:
For -Are verbs: replace the usual 'i' with 'a'.
For -IRE/ERE verbs: keep as 'i'.
Examples of TU (-Are): Examples of TU (-Ire/Ere) *nothing different*
Parla instead of parli. Scrivi
Mangia instead of mangi. Chiudi
Canta instead of canti. Parti
Gioca instead of gioci. Dormi
TU NEGATIVE:
'Non' + infinitive of the verb.
Examples:
Non parlare! Non andare! Non spingere! Non uscire!
**Andare (va`), Avere (abbi), Dare (da`), Dire (di`), Essere (sii), Stare (sta`) are irregular with the TU form.**
NOI:
Noi in the imperative can be used but is taken more as a suggestion rather than a command. "Let's eat!"
For -Are/Ire/Ere *nothing different*
Ends with -iamo. Parliamo, Scriviamo, Mangiamo
VOI:
For -Are/Ire/Ere *nothing different*
Ends with -ate, -ite, -ete, Parlate, Scrivete, Mangiate, Dormite
VOI NEGATIVE:
'Non' + conjugated form.
Examples:
Non parlate! Non scrivete! Non dormite!
LEI:
Think of this as opposite of "tu" and you will see why.
For -Are verbs: replace the usual 'a' with 'i'
For -Ire/Ere verbs: replace with 'a'
Examples of LEI (-Are): Examples of LEI (-Ire/Ere)
Lei parli. Lei scriva.
Lei gioci. Lei senta.
Lei canti. Lei legga.
Lei ascolti. Lei finisca.
LEI NEGATIVE:
'Non' + conjugated form.
Examples:
Non parli! Non scriva! Non legga! Non canti!
LORO:
For -Are verbs: replace with "ino".
For - Ire/Ere verbs: replace with "ano".
Example of LORO (-Are): Examples of LORO (-Ire/Ere)
Loro parlino. Loro scrivano.
LORO NEGATIVE:
'Non' + conjugated form.
Examples:
Non parlino! Non scrivano!
**Andare (vada, vadano), Dare (dia, diano), Dire (dica, dicano), Fare (faccia, facciano), Stare (stia, stiano) , Venire (venga, vengano) are irregular with Lei, Loro**
I know at first glance, the imperative seems weird but it actually took me less than a few days for it to sink in.
If anyone needs help with this tense, please ask because I am still expanding my knowledge of it. Also, this link
http://italian.about.com/library/fare... may help.
The next tense I will study will be a "Future Tense"; yes I know the present tense can be used as a future tense but there is another tense out there and I believe knowing that will not only impress Italian speakers but is another step towards fluency!
Ci vediamo! Buona fortuna!