1. Punto di partenza
In Italian, as in English, a verb is a word denoting an action or a state of being. The subject of a verb is the person or thing that carries out the action.
SUBJECT
VERB
La professoressa
The teacher
parla italiano.
speaks Italian.
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2. Subject pronouns replace a noun that is the subject of a verb.
Lei
She
parla italiano.
speaks Italian.
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3. As in English, Italian subject pronouns are divided into three groups of singular and plural forms: first person, second person, and third person.
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4. Unlike I in English, io is not capitalized unless it begins a sentence
Unlike I in English, io is not capitalized unless it begins a sentence. Also note that in Italian, it and they are seldom expressed when referring to animals or objects.
Studio l’italiano anch’io.
I study Italian, too.
È un cane.
It is a dog.
Sono libri d’italiano.
They are Italian books.
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5. The English you has multiple equivalents in Italian
The English you has multiple equivalents in Italian. When addressing one person, choose either tu or Lei, depending on the degree of formality necessary.
Paolo, tu parli bene.
Paolo, you speak well.
Signor Bruno, Lei parla molto bene.
Mr. Bruno, you speak very well.
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6. Write Lei (you, form.) with a capital L to distinguish it from lei (she). In formal situations, use Lei whether you are speaking to a man or a woman.
Che cosa studia lei?
What does she study?
Professor Balli, Lei cosa insegna?
Professor Balli, what do you teach?
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7. Use voi to address a group of people in both formal and informal settings. The formal second-person plural form Loro is seldom used, and is presented here for recognition only.
Voi siete bravi studenti.
You are good students.
Signore, voi parlate inglese?
Ladies, do you speak English?
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8. The verb essere
Essere (To be) is an irregular verb because its conjugation (the set of forms for the different subjects) does not follow a pattern. The basic form essere is an infinitive, meaning it does not correspond to any particular subject.
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9. Unlike English, Italian does not require subject pronouns and, in fact, they are usually omitted. In the case of è and sono, use the context of the sentence to identify the subject.
Sono studente.
I am a student.
Sono brave studentesse?
Are they good students?
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10. Rising intonation at the end of a sentence transforms a statement into a yes-or-no question. To reply in the negative, place non (not) directly before the verb. Use no only as a negative response, equivalent to no in English.
È un dizionario?
Is it a dictionary?
No, non è un dizionario.
No, it’s not a dictionary.
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11. Note the differences in meaning in these statements.
È un esame.
It is an exam.
C’è un esame.
There is an exam.
Ecco un esame!
Here is an exam!
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12. 1. (Tu / Voi) siete americani. 2. (Lui / Loro) è in biblioteca.
Choose the correct subject pronoun in
each sentence.
1. (Tu / Voi) siete americani.
2. (Lui / Loro) è in biblioteca.
3. (Io / Noi) sono generoso.
4. (Io / Tu) sei in Italia.
5. (Io / Voi) sono alla mensa alle due.
6. (Noi / Tu) sei un attore.
7. (Loro / Lei) sono a casa.
8. (Voi / Tu) siete dottori.
9. (Lui / Noi) siamo timide.
10. (Tu / Lei) è una ragazza simpatica.
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