Answers
Feb 27, 2023 - 03:09 PM
This is a tricky one to answer. Verbs in the infinitive form (mangiare) are preceded by a preposition (Da, Per, Di, etc,) when used in sentences where they're typically preceded by nouns or adverbs like niente (nothing) or qualcosa (something), etc.
Examples:
- Ci sono panini da mangiare (There are sandwiches to eat)
- Voglio qualcosa da mangiare (I want something to eat)
- Non c'e' niente da fare (There is nothing to do)
In these cases the preposition serves as the link between the noun or adverb to the verb
When infinitive verbs follow modal verbs (Volere, Potere, Dovere, Sapere) a preposition isn't used:
Voglio mangiare (I want to eat)
Devo partire (I have to leave)
Posso guidare (I can (to) drive)
In these cases, the Da/To isn't used because you're not pairing a noun or adverb to the verb. It's implied because the 'to' is essentially "built in" to the description of all infinitive verb forms (to eat, to leave, to run, etc).
Crazy, right!?! As you get more practiced this somehow starts to be more automatic/instinctual.
Hope that helps...
Examples:
- Ci sono panini da mangiare (There are sandwiches to eat)
- Voglio qualcosa da mangiare (I want something to eat)
- Non c'e' niente da fare (There is nothing to do)
In these cases the preposition serves as the link between the noun or adverb to the verb
When infinitive verbs follow modal verbs (Volere, Potere, Dovere, Sapere) a preposition isn't used:
Voglio mangiare (I want to eat)
Devo partire (I have to leave)
Posso guidare (I can (to) drive)
In these cases, the Da/To isn't used because you're not pairing a noun or adverb to the verb. It's implied because the 'to' is essentially "built in" to the description of all infinitive verb forms (to eat, to leave, to run, etc).
Crazy, right!?! As you get more practiced this somehow starts to be more automatic/instinctual.
Hope that helps...
Mar 01, 2023 - 10:30 AM
Dirk,
This is really the best explanation of this I've ever seen. Thanks so much for your examples and clarity.
- Dennis
This is really the best explanation of this I've ever seen. Thanks so much for your examples and clarity.
- Dennis
Mar 01, 2023 - 10:59 AM
Whoa- thanks for saying so Dennis! My Italian tutor would be so proud and I have to give her credit - although I'm sure she'd find SOMETHING wrong in my answer :)
I feel like prepositions are one of the toughest aspects of Italian and I never seem to correctly anticipate which one to use, but running through the Fluenz Flashcards ad nauseum really helps to burn them in.
Thanks again-
Dirk
I feel like prepositions are one of the toughest aspects of Italian and I never seem to correctly anticipate which one to use, but running through the Fluenz Flashcards ad nauseum really helps to burn them in.
Thanks again-
Dirk
