Italian Grammar

By taking the time to understand how the Italian language works, you'll be able to speak Italian naturally, and read and write in Italian. We know this can be one of the more challenging parts of your course, and we’re here to help! You can browse the topics, do a search in the top right corner of this page, or start a new conversation. Don’t be shy!

Use of da in front of an verb

In lesson 10.6 of level 2 there are some sentences that use “da” or “di” before a verb in the infinitive.For example:“Vuoi qualcosa da mangiare”. But there are also sentences that leave it out, for example:“Non vogliono mangiare neinte” and “Anche a me pi...

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - May 11, 2025

Agreement in passato prossimo with "essere"

I have a question about this sentence from lesson 8.6: “Cosa vi è successo?” In the passato prossimo with “essere” the past participle agrees in number and gender with the subject of the sentence, and “cosa” is a feminine noun, so why isn't it “Cosa vi è ...

3 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - April 13, 2025

Gerunds in 4.6, The Weather

My understanding is that gerunds use the verb, stare.  However, this lesson included the following phrase and translation:Fa freddo ma non nevica.(It) is cold but (it) isn't snowing. Why doesn't the phrase read, “…ma non sta nevicando.”  Is this an incons...

3 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - March 13, 2025

"si" before "la" in Module 10.9

Can anyone explain the order of “si” and “la” in the following sentence?Sì, se non la si pensa così, si resta a casa e non si viaggia! It seems to me it should be “se non se la pensa così”, with the “si impersonale” followed by the direct object pronoun “...

2 replies - Last post by JohnV-2mfc - February 24, 2025

Indirect and direct object pronouns with infinitives

Ciao, I have a question about indirect and direct object pronouns. I understand from lesson 4.9 that direct object pronouns can be attached to infinitive verb forms, like this:Puoi chiamarmi quando vuoi. And I understand from lesson 4.10 that indirect obj...

4 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - February 23, 2025

Help explaining Exceptions: LE (uppercase L) and GLI in 4.10 for indirect pronouns

Hi ,   In lesson 4.10 around indirect pronouns there is the rule mentioned below Le, le and gli cannot be attached to verbs that start with a vowel or the letter H, such as the conjugation of the verb avere. Please could you help explain this rule as i fi...

3 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - February 10, 2025

Proper use of uno before Masculine and Feminine nouns

Ciao a tutti! Mi chiamo Juditha.  Parlo un po d'Italiano as I am only up to 1.3 of the first module.  My question is using one, uno, before masculine and feminine nouns.  In module 1.3 we use ‘una' before ‘pizza’ since pizza ends in a and therefore is a f...

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - February 2, 2025

You (plural) vs You (singular)

I'm just beginning so I have very basic question. In the flashcards, how do I know if it is referring to “you” singular or “you” plural?  In the other sections such as listening, you can tell from the grammar and verb conjugation, but I when it is present...

2 replies - Last post by SandyR-w44k - January 29, 2025

Prepositional pronouns without prepositions

In lesson 4.8, there is brief mention that “prepositional pronouns” can be used without prepositions to emphasize the person in question. This is one of the examples: Invito lui alla cena, ma voi no.(I) am inviting him to dinner, but not you. It is confus...

7 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - January 12, 2025

Use of è che

Can someone explain the difference between ‘Da quanto tempo stai qui’ and ‘Da quanto tempo è che stai qui’

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - January 12, 2025

Difference between using Eravate and Faceva when talking about what you used to do.

Hello I have a question about two sentences in lesson 9.6 level 2. The first sentence is “Eravate professri” - were you teachers?The second sentence is “il mio vicino faceva poliziotto” - my neighbour used to be a police officer. I am confused as to why t...

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - January 9, 2025

Interpretation of 'You are right'.

I completed Module 1 and went back to do some review. Why in lesson 1.8 is the english 'You are right',   'Lei ha ragione' in italian? It seems like it should be ‘Lei e’ ragione' per the lesson 1.9 information about essere instead of 1.10 information abou...

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - December 30, 2024

"ci"

Why is it “ci vediamo dopo” for ‘see you soon’?  Doesn't “ci” mean “us”?

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - December 26, 2024

Articles in grammar

In lesson 1.9 why does the first sentence use il but the second does not? Lei è il mio collega.You are my colleague. Lui è mio fratello.He is my brother.

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - December 22, 2024

How does this sentence work?

The translation of the bolded part of this sentence from Module 12.2 is really confusing to me: Beh, non è facile perché non c'è solo la lingua ma anche la differenza culturale sia al colloquio che poi durante il lavoro. Well, (it) is not easy because the...

3 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - December 15, 2024

verbs in grammar

In the sentance below, why isn't sono sei per subject pronoun rules? Le ragazze sono buone.The girls are good.

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - December 11, 2024

Lesson 1.2 Do you speak Italian

In the three examples below, what is the rule including or leaving out the definite article L' ? The phrases were extracted from Lesson 1.2. Parli italiano?Da quanto tempo studi l’italiano?Studio l'italiano da un mese.

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - December 1, 2024

Marking a lesson for revision

How can I bookmark particular grammar lessons so that I can gain access to them easily when I want to review them.

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - November 1, 2024

Article question

Maria, mi manca la mia famiglia. I thought when it came to immediate family, we are not to use the article.  Can someone clarity please?

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - October 4, 2024

grammar

I just began Rocket - is there any grammar or is it strictly audio/oral ???

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - September 22, 2024

Mixing third person singular with third person plural in module 8.2

In Module 8.2 on filling up your car with gas, I came across this sentence which is confusing me: Se si è fiduciosi e si hanno i vocaboli, si possono affrontare tutte le situazioni.The English translation it gives is:If you are trusting and have the langu...

2 replies - Last post by JohnV-2mfc - August 19, 2024

Verb tense for lavorare

Can someone explain this verb conjugation to me? Why is it lavori and not lavoro?“Bisogna che io lavori.”

4 replies - Last post by ArdenMage - July 31, 2024

"una buona idea" vs. "una buon'idea"

In lesson 5.3, we have “…sia una buona idea.”  (I haven't gotten there yet, but it looks like “una buona idea” also appears in 6.3 and 19.1. From the adjective lesson, however, I would've thought that this should be “una buon'idea” Is it personal preferen...

2 replies - Last post by jpsmith01 - July 21, 2024

Adverbs for 'here' and 'there'

I notice that the adverb for ‘here’ is ‘qui’ and ‘qua’.  And the adverb for ‘there' is ‘li’ and ‘la’.  What is the rule for when one is used rather than the other?

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 20, 2024

the plural form of 'you"

In Lesson 4.7, which addresses the use of the possessive, Rocket Italina translates the sentence, “Your friend is very beautiful.” to “La vostra amica è bellissima.” The contxt of the sentence implies that “your” is singular" Why is the sentence not “La t...

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - June 28, 2024

Masculine default

Anyone else have a problem with this approach of the assumption that masculine is the default?   “Generally in this course, the masculine forms are the default forms. This means that we only provide a notation to indicate feminine forms. However, since th...

2 replies - Last post by EliseS-uwgf - June 11, 2024

Confusion between using dal or al?

HiIn lesson 6.8 dal is used in “Andiamo in fretta dal medico” but al is used in “Parla dolcemente al bambino”. I thought that al was used to mean “to the” and dal for “from the”. So I am a bit confused why dal is used to say “to the doctor”. Could you hel...

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - May 24, 2024

Le nostre borse sono uguali

should the above not be uguale agreeing with the feminine borse

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - May 19, 2024

Essere vs. Fare

​Ciao everyone! This morning, a longtime user asked a great question about Italian grammar. Since this is a pretty common topic, we thought we'd share it on the forum so all Rocket Italian users can benefit. If you have any ideas as to why essere “to be” ...

2 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - May 14, 2024

I'm getting all my "QU" words mixed up.

I am constantly mixing up my QU words. Any suggestions?  Quel, Qual, Quando, Quanti, Questo… Any suggestions? Any tricks?

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - May 3, 2024

Prepositions

Came across this clear, comprehensive guide which gives good explanations of when to use da vs di, a vs in etc.  This comes up a lot.  I printed it out and keep it handy for those times when the reason for choice of preposition in a Rocket sentence isn't ...

2 replies - Last post by ArdenMage - April 29, 2024

Per fare or a fare?

In lesson 6.1 Maria says “a fare la spesa” (to do my shopping) but later says “per fare una bella cena” (to make a good dinner). I am not sure when to use “a fare” and when to use “per fare” and if there is any difference in the meaning?

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - April 25, 2024

Question about 'Ci mettera' - lesson 5.5

In Lesson 5.5, the phrase  ‘ci mettera’  is used for  ‘it will take ’.   I understand the use of the future tense, but I don't understand what ‘ci’ represents in this sentence.   I thought ‘ci’ was either the direct or indirect pronoun for ‘us’.

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - April 23, 2024

Ways of saying the word 'What': Che vs Cosa

I am having difficulty choosing the word for WHAT. For example - Che tempo fa :  What is the weather like?                           Cosa fanno i tuoi:   What are your parents doing? Guidance please.

3 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - April 17, 2024

Quiz answer - Reflexives

I am confused by the answer to the quiz question below.  I thought that when we tell someone NOT to so something in Italian, we use Non+ the infinitive.  And if it is reflexive, the pronoun goes either before the infinitive or attached to the end, as per ...

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - April 12, 2024

In the morning: mattino vs mattina

I notice that the word ‘morning’ can be spelled either ‘mattino’ or ‘mattina’.   It looks like ‘mattino’ is used when referring to a specific time in the morning, as in “delle sette del mattino”.  However when used without reference to a specific time, ‘i...

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - April 12, 2024

Lesson 4.6: weather, confusion

I understand there are many verbs that can be used with weather but in the flashcards a number of sentences done seem to follow the runes. One example:In the sentence "it is windy and raining" is translated as  "C'e vento e piove" .  Confusing, does not f...

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - April 9, 2024

Adjective placement - before or after the noun

In lesson 5.1, I notice that the word ‘piccolo’ is placed BEFORE the noun ‘appartamento’ in one sentence but AFTER it in another sentence.   What is the grammatical rule here?

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - April 6, 2024

Use of direct object pronoun 'Ci'

I understand the use of direct object pronouns in this lesson, however I am having difficulty understanding the use of ‘ci’ in this sentence: Ci vediamo dopo  (See you later.)   It seems like it should be Vi vediamo dopo. Can you explain please?

2 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - March 31, 2024

Talking about possession

In lesson 4.7 on Possessive pronouns, I learned that a definite article  (il, la) is usually required before the possessive pronoun, and that the possissive pronoun  (my, your, his) goes before the noun.    However in 4.8, I see the following example.  “C...

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - March 24, 2024

Changes to the conjunction "e" in written Italian

In lession 4.6, I learn that in written Italian the conjunction “e” changes to “ed” if the following word begins with the letter ‘e’.  However, in an earlier lesson, it appears to also change if the following word begins with the letter ‘i’ - such as  “io...

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - March 9, 2024

alle sette e mezzo vs alle sette e mezza

Some conversations in Rocket Italian use “mezza” and some use “mezzo” when expressing half past the hour. Is there a pattern? Thanks!

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - February 4, 2024

Possessive Pronouns

Working on Lesson 4.8.  In this sentence - “Scrivete cartoline spesso per la tua zia in Germania?”,  the subject, you, is plural.  For “your aunt”, wouldn't “la vostra zia” be correct?  Or am I confused (again)?

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - January 28, 2024

Sentence structure when using two pronouns

Working on section 5.6 (Italian pronouns are really confusing!)  Please comment on the following two sentences:Il mio professore mi insegna a parlare italiano.Me lo insegne il mio professore. When using two pronouns, does the subject of the sentence alway...

2 replies - Last post by Susan K - January 20, 2024

Stare vs essere

For the most part, I understand the difference between stare and essere in lesson 3.9.  However, I'm confused by two examples.  “We are sitting down right now” can be either "siamo seduti adesso" or “stiamo seduti adesso”, which is translated exactly the ...

2 replies - Last post by Susan K - January 14, 2024

Where can I find homework plans?

Ciao.Where might I find homework plans (book, website, etc) that roughly corresponds to the RocketItalian lessons, so that I can use a structured way of re-enforcing what I learn?Grazie!

4 replies - Last post by Maxie - January 5, 2024

Grammar questions 4.8

Confused by a couple of the flashcards in lesson 4.8. "His house is next to the station" - “His house” is translated as “casa sua”.  I thought possessive, with very few exceptions, would be “la sua casa”. “We go near her” is translated as “andiamo verso d...

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - January 2, 2024

Correct verb conjugation

Working on lesson 3.4.  Maria tells Alex “riposa e cerca di dormire”.  Riposare and cercare are “are” verbs.  Why is the verb conjugation is for the third person singular (ending in a) and not the second person singular, ending in i?   “(Tu) riposi e cerc...

3 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - December 31, 2023

una buon'idea or una buona idea

Just checking to see which is correct - una buon'idea (as in lesson 3.8) or una buona idea (lesson 5.3).  Is either form correct???

3 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - November 27, 2023

Possessives

Is it il mio fratello gemello or just mio fratello gemello (lesson 5.4).  I thought if the singular noun is modified, you had to add the definite article????

2 replies - Last post by AnnetteV - November 27, 2023

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