Q: What difference between the gerund and the infinitive in Italian?

The gerund expresses ongoing or simultaneous actions (e.g., mangiando – eating), while the infinitive is the base form of the verb, often used to express actions in a general or abstract sense (e.g., mangiare – to eat).

Q: When should I use the infinitive in Italian?

The infinitive is used after certain conjugated verbs (like volere – to want, dovere – to have to), after prepositions, and in sentences expressing purpose (e.g., per fare – in order to do).

Q: How is the gerund formed in Italian?

The gerund is formed by adding -ando for -are verbs (e.g., parlando – speaking) and -endo for -ere and -ire verbs (e.g., scrivendo – writing, dormendo – sleeping).

Q: What verbs that require the infinitive after?

Common verbs include volere (to want), potere (to be able to), sapere (to know how), amare (to love), and preferire (to prefer), all of which are followed by the infinitive form of the action.

Q: Can I study Italian with LTL?

Yes! We offer individual and group classes on our online platform, Flexi Classes . Check out our 7 Day Free Trial and get started today!

Question 1

What difference between the gerund and the infinitive in Italian?

Accepted Answer

The gerund expresses ongoing or simultaneous actions (e.g., mangiando – eating), while the infinitive is the base form of the verb, often used to express actions in a general or abstract sense (e.g., mangiare – to eat).

Question 2

When should I use the infinitive in Italian?

Accepted Answer

The infinitive is used after certain conjugated verbs (like volere – to want, dovere – to have to), after prepositions, and in sentences expressing purpose (e.g., per fare – in order to do).

Question 3

How is the gerund formed in Italian?

Accepted Answer

The gerund is formed by adding -ando for -are verbs (e.g., parlando – speaking) and -endo for -ere and -ire verbs (e.g., scrivendo – writing, dormendo – sleeping).

Question 4

Can gerund and infinitive be used in the same sentence?

Accepted Answer

Yes, both can appear in the same sentence when describing actions. For example: Sto cercando di finire il lavoro (I am trying to finish the work), where sto cercando (I am trying) is the gerund, and finire (to finish) is the infinitive.

Question 5

What verbs that require the infinitive after?

Accepted Answer

Common verbs include volere (to want), potere (to be able to), sapere (to know how), amare (to love), and preferire (to prefer), all of which are followed by the infinitive form of the action.

Question 6

Can I study Italian with LTL?

Accepted Answer

Yes!

We offer individual and group classes on our online platform, Flexi Classes.

Check out our 7 Day Free Trial and get started today!

Grammar Point	Pattern	Example
Italian gerund and infinitive	Subject + Conjugated Verb + Infinitive Verb + (Object)	Ti tocca offrire da mangiare!
Numeral adjectives in Italian	Definite Article + Ordinal Numeral + Noun + Verb	Il primo studente è arrivato.
Possessive adjectives in Italian	Definite Article + Possessive Adjective + Noun	La mia scrivania è sporca
Nouns in Italian
Personal pronouns in Italian	Io, Tu, Lui, Lei, Noi, Voi, Loro
Italian present tense	-	Io parlo italiano
Italian present progressive	Stare + Gerundio	Io sto leggendo un libro
Definite and indefinite articles in Italian	Il, Lo, Gli, La, Le, Une, Delle etc	Ho mangiato la pizza
Italian plurals	-	Le pizze; Gli ombrelli
Auxiliary verbs (to be & to have)	Essere / Avere	Ho un cane; Sono stanco
Asking & telling the time in Italian	To be + Time	Sono le tre e mezza
Demonstrative adjectives in Italian	Questo/Questa/Quest'+Singular Words	Ti piace questo maglione?

Italian Grammar Bank

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