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!

Mastering Italian: Tips for English Speakers

Ciao a tutti! (Hello, everyone!) :) I'm here to provide some valuable tips to enhance your learning experience. Italian is a captivating language, and with a bit of practice, you'll soon be speaking like a pro.  - Embrace the Musicality: Italian is known ...

10 replies - Last post by Maxie - September 27, 2023

Where to place the adjective in relation to the noun.

In Lesson 5.1, what is the difference between ‘appartamento piccolo’ and ‘piccolo appartamento'?  Does it really matter in this example and are there instances where the placement is important?

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - September 2, 2023

Subjunctives in Clauses

checking the “Subjunctives in Clauses” lesson, I didn't understand one of the examples in the section “the only one”: Giovanni ѐ l'unico bambino che non ascolta ​mai la maestra. I believe that the subjunctive verb in this example is “ascoltare”, but since...

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - August 1, 2023

I need help with a grammar rule ...when to use io, mi, sto...( I am)

Ciao…I have been studying Italian for 2 years…very slowly…and I always have this issue regardless of where I am with my studies. When do I use the correct form of “essere” when it comes to actions I am taking?io, sono, mi, sto…it is giving me anxiety all ...

12 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 27, 2023

Partative Articles?

Back before level 2 was updated, there was a lesson on partative articles (when you want “some” or “a part of” something. According to my notes there are a few ways to say this, but there was a handy table on combining “di + definite article” that I can't...

4 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 23, 2023

Verbs

Ciao a tuttiHave a good book to recommend. Italian Verb Tenses  By Paola Nanni-Tate.Some really great expanations concerning verbs. Plus will increase your vocabulary.I am using this to supplement verb explanations, as Rocket manages to confuse me time an...

5 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 11, 2023

Revision

Ciao a tuttiI have been doing some revision lately. I have found it interesting that the first time around I missed so much. Now that I am more comfortable speaking and understanding the vocabulary, have noticed that I can concentrate more on things like ...

3 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 10, 2023

Use of "lo"

Hi, Can someone help with some advice please? I keep seeing “lo” in Italian sentences, where it is not used in English. I would like to know if: 1. “Lo” is necessary 2. If we only use “lo” with specific verbs3. If there are any rules about when to use “lo...

3 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 4, 2023

di aver

Is there a lesson on using: “di aver” such as in the sentence: “penso di aver perso il portafoglio”?  Thank you.

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 4, 2023

essere vs stare

Am I the only beginner confused about which scenarios require which verb?  The examples used in this section do not seem consistent, based on the posted rules.  Does this really matter in the real world?

2 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 4, 2023

Impersonal SI

Ciao!   Nella lezione sul impersonale SI l'esempio :  “Cosa fare se si e dimenticato di pagare?” Questo sta nella parte dei esempi di verbi riflessivi.  Pero non deve essere “Cosa fare se ci si e dimenticato di pagare”?  E anche, le regole dicono che il p...

3 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 4, 2023

Relexives and possessives

Hi AllAm looking at reflexsives and there is a notation there that in the possessive lesson there is a notation on body parts. Cannot find it under possessives. Could you please direct me to where it is. Thank youMaxie

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 4, 2023

Leeson 3.9: Why no definite article for "mine" (possessive pronoun"?

There is a sentence La casa è mia which is translated as The house is mine. I was under the impression that for mine you need il mio or la mia (in the sentence above).Are they both correct?

3 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 4, 2023

Proper use of Vorrei

I am having difficulty with the word  vorrei. Is it proper to use this word when ordering something at a restaurant?  ie..Vorrei un tasse caffe

2 replies - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 4, 2023

Use of che

Hi, Can you help please? I have seen many Italian sentences with “Che” followed by a conjugated verb that seems to translate as the verb in the gerund. Here are some examples: C'e molta gente che passeggia = There are many people WALKING Sono qui CHE ammi...

2 replies - Last post by David. - July 2, 2023

né Michele né Elena.

Non vengono a cena né Michele né Elena.Neither Michele nor Elena is coming to dinner. Above is how this is given. But why isn't it né Michele né Elena vengono a cena? as in the translation the verb comes after né

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 2, 2023

presente progressivo

Hi Was doing some revision and came across this sentence.Guardando il mare, penso ​alle vacanze.I understood from a previous lesson on the presente progressivo that one needed the verb Stare in the sentence. Why does this one not follow that rule?Thanks M...

1 reply - Last post by Enxhi-Rocket-Italian-Tutor - July 2, 2023

Lesson 1.10 - Avere

Hi everyone / anyone ..   I am new Rocket Italian Learner.     Can somebody explain why the proposition dei suddenly appears in the sentence “Voi avete dei compiti”. I understand dei is masc plural preposition meaning of or from. But why is dei not used i...

2 replies - Last post by LisaOz - December 25, 2022

lesson 4.8

CiaoLesson 4.8Venite ​verso di lui. The translation Is  You Why is it venite not vieni.? I get that, that is maybe for the lui, but then how would you know that it is referring to “you”GrazieMaxie

7 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - December 11, 2022

direct and indirect pronouns

Ciao a tuttiI am still struggling to find my way aroound this pesky issue. I see the la attatched to a verb, as in portarla and still have no idea how to convert it to not being attatched to a verb. ExampleWhen I see them side by side it is logicalHas any...

1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - December 11, 2022

Puoi dirmi

In Lesson 2.8 there is a sentence Puoi dirmi l'ora, per favore? - Can you tell me the time, please?In a previous lesson (2.3) we learn various similar types of question, for example Mi può dire…? - Can you tell me.. ? etc.Are these forms interchangeable? ...

2 replies - Last post by Peter--252 - November 13, 2022

egli/ella

I'm currently on lesson 3.10, and was checking the conjugation of certain verbs on other sites; it appears that the subject pronouns for 3rd person singular are “egli” and “ella”, whereas earlier in the course (e.g. lesson 1.9) we were given “lui” and “le...

2 replies - Last post by Peter--252 - November 13, 2022

Expressing Time in the Past

Is there any difference in meaning between: Sono quattro anni che vivo in ItaliaandVivo in Italia da quattro anni The lesson says the sentences mean exactly the same thing in English, but there must be a slight difference in Italian, otherwise why do both...

1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - November 12, 2022

Peccato

I've probably forgotten why, but the sentence “È una peccato che non abbiamo più caramelle.” in Hear It, Say It in lesson 13.6 sounds like “un peccato” but is translated as “una peccato”.  It's masculine according to Collins Dictionary and is shown as “un...

1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - November 12, 2022

Different Phrases yet both mean the same thing in English

Not sure where to post this.  Would be nice if there were Forums for questions on  individual lessons.  But here is the question:In Lesson 2.1   you see the phrase. “per andare alla stazione dei treni?” and the English translation is shown to be,  “How do...

1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - November 12, 2022

Question about sample sentence in lesson 8.2

One of the sample phrases in this section is “Se si è fiduciosi e si hanno i vocaboli, si possono affrontare tutte le situazioni.” Why is the first sentence fragment singular “Se si è fiduciosi” but the second and third fragments are plural “si hanno i vo...

1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - November 12, 2022

The boys dont have enything to eat

the translation in the flashcard is: I ragazzi non hanno da mangiare. Could you say it in another way,  per esempio: I ragazzi no hanno di niente per mangare  orI ragazzi non hanno nessuno mangato ?

1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - November 12, 2022

collega femminille

You are my colleague (S-F) translates to : Lei è il mio collegaMa perchè no Lei è la mia collega?Grazie:)

3 replies - Last post by Liss-Rocket-Languages-Tutor - October 24, 2022

Is there?

There really wasn't a category for this question, so I just picked one. Is there a text version of the lessons available?My reasoning is I can not always have a computer etc. at hand, but if after completing a course having a text version would be helpful...

1 reply - Last post by Margaret-RocketLanguages - October 14, 2022

Glieli?

Hi, in module 5 (level 1), putting Direct and Indirect Objects Pronouns Together, they put the next example:Giorgio chiede a Carola i librithen with the direct and indirect object pronouns:Giorgio glieli chiede I dont understand why they are using “glieli...

5 replies - Last post by cristhian33 - September 9, 2022

How describe feelings in the past

Hi. Can someone advise me please? How do I say: “I felt ill yesterday” I've seen examples using passato prossimo like “Mi sono sentito male ieri” However, since we are describing a state of mind, not a completed action I thought the imperfect would be mor...

2 replies - Last post by David. - July 1, 2022

nouns eg gatto and gatta

Ciao a Tutti,Please help: with ALL nouns eg gatto and gatta--- is there a KEY to changing from masculine to feminine? Or do you have to remember both words for male cat and female cat? Any good cheat sheets out there? Grazie Million.

2 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - June 16, 2022

Question about a sample sentence in section 4.9 of Level 1

Hi, I've only been on Rocket Italian for a little over a month, and I'm really enjoying it.  I hope that this is the correct place to post my question. In section 4.9 of Level 1 there is a sentence that I am having trouble with: “Scrivete cartoline spesso...

2 replies - Last post by MarkB137 - May 25, 2022

Using indirect and direct pronouns together

Can anyone explain how “ Ce li chiedono” translates to “They ask us for them”?Isn't ‘Ce' the indirect pronoun? Shouldn't it be “They ask them for us”?

1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - May 25, 2022

lesson 7.7

Ciao a tuttiIn lesson 7.7 Prendo il piatto del giorno. I will have the plate of the day.Can one use this in as: "i have the plate of the day. In other words  I am eating this Sebongela

4 replies - Last post by Maxie - May 9, 2022

Present simple and present progressive tense

How do we know when to use present simple tense or present continuous tense?

3 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - May 9, 2022

Double Pronouns with Passive Participle

Hello,  Is there a module on Rocket Italian that deals with double pronouns with passive participle? For example: Hai portato la spessa alla nonna? (Did you bring the shopping to grandma?)Sì, gliel'ho portata. (Yes, I brought it to her) I'd like to explor...

1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - May 9, 2022

Lesson 5.6 Sentence - Technical Breakdown Request

Hi there, For the sentence: Te li regala Enrico?Does Enrico give them to you? Why isn't it: Te li Enrico regala? That's how I always want to translate it in my head. Can I get an explanation why the English translation is written the first way? Is my way ...

2 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - May 9, 2022

Reflexive verbs

In what situations would we use ‘avvicinarsi’ instead of ‘avvicinare’?I am confused because both mean ‘to get near’ or ‘to come closer’.  I don't understand the need of the reflexive verb here.What would be the difference between using “mi avvicino” and “...

1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - May 9, 2022

How to know which preposition to put in front of a verb, and which do not need prepositions

Hello, How do I know which proposition to put in front of an infinitive verb? Or, why is there sometimes no preposition? For instance: Ho deciso di portare una bottiglia di vino.Vado a prendere la macchina.Devo andare a lavoro. Is it just pure memorizatio...

4 replies - Last post by JamesP69 - April 20, 2022

Imperfetto Tense

Hi,  I am learning the Imperfect Tense in lesson 9.5. I noticed it can be used for ‘was/were talking’ and ‘used to talk’. In English they have somewhat different meanings. ‘Used to talk’ suggests reminiscing about a distant past, whereas ‘was talking’ nor...

3 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - April 6, 2022

8.6 “Il Passato” con Essere

Cose vi è succeso?  Shouldn't it be ti instead of vi to agree with è? Or vi siete? Cose ti è succeso?Cose vi siete succeso?

3 replies - Last post by LuzM18 - March 29, 2022

Past Participle of Indossare

Hello,Can you help with a grammar question please?I am on lesson 9.2. The lesson has this phrase in the conversation: L'ha indossata - did you wear it? I thought the past participle of indossare with ‘avere’ would be indossato  - ending in -o'.  Can you t...

3 replies - Last post by David. - March 23, 2022

Lesson 8.8 - expressing time

Ciao a tuttiI'm confused by this translation:Ho visto tuo fratello qualche minuto fa.(I) saw your brother a few minutes ago.Is there a reason it isn't “minuti” as it is plural?GrazieChris

3 replies - Last post by Maxie - March 1, 2022

Purpose of the word in this context

What is the purpose of the word “il” in this sentence: Lei `e il mio collega.

2 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - February 28, 2022

ex 4.10

Voglio dare loro un consiglio.After stating that the indirect personal pronoun goes before the verb, why does loro go after the verb “dare”When the previous sentences they go before the verb.When is this ever not confusing. LOLSebongela

1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - February 16, 2022

Direct object pronouns.

Have been working through direct object pronouns, revision as well as from a text book. In the text book they refer to “Forte e debole” object pronouns and is this an antiquated approach.Was also revising Level 1 direct object pronouns,Came across Lo vedi...

1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - January 24, 2022

Your weekend level 2

Ciao a tuttiIn this conversation the “ Lei and voi” are in brackets. Does this mean they don't need to be said? As well as the “ Ii ho pasatto”. Just want to clarify. Io needn't be said due to the verb forms implying that.CiaoSebongela

3 replies - Last post by Margaret-RocketLanguages - November 28, 2021

The Conditional Tense (condizionale) - Where to find the lesson?

Hi,I was looking for the lesson on Conditional Tense  (condizionale) . I remember seeing it in the old course, but unable to find it in the new one, going by the titles in the Language and Culture section. I did a search and came up with one reference, bu...

3 replies - Last post by MarkL57 - November 17, 2021

when something is happening

Hi andiamo pescando instead of peschiamo.You say activities like this, but what is the distinction? I know this is not meant to give you everything, but one example is not very helpful. As the rest of the sentences are all ando or endo. Is this just case ...

1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - November 1, 2021

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