Grammar
Clear grammar guides written for English speakers — with tables, examples, and exercises.
22 articles
Italian Partitive Articles: Del, Dello, Della, Dei — How to Say 'Some'
Italian uses partitive articles where English says 'some' or 'any'. Learn all the forms of del, dello, della, dei and when to use them — including when to leave them out entirely.
Italian Ordinal Numbers: How to Say First, Second, Third in Italian
Italian ordinal numbers follow clear patterns — but the first ten are irregular and need memorising. This guide covers everything from primo to centesimo, with real examples and common uses.
Ci and Ne in Italian: The Two Little Words Every Learner Gets Wrong
Ci and ne are small words with big jobs. They replace entire phrases and make Italian sound natural — but English has no direct equivalent. This guide breaks down exactly what they replace and how to use them confidently.
Da vs Per in Italian: Why English Speakers Always Get Them Confused
Both 'da' and 'per' can translate as 'for' in English — which is why English speakers mix them up constantly. Here's how to tell them apart every time, with the key rules and plenty of examples.
Essere vs Avere as Auxiliary Verbs: The Ultimate Rule (With Exceptions)
Choosing between essere and avere in the passato prossimo is one of the trickiest parts of Italian grammar. Here is the complete rule — covering motion verbs, transitive vs intransitive, reflexives, and the verbs that take both.
Farcela and Andarsene: Italian Phrasal Verbs That Drive Learners Crazy
Farcela (to manage it) and andarsene (to go away) are two of the most common Italian phrasal verbs — and among the most puzzling for learners. This article breaks them down completely.
Italian Adjective Placement: Before or After the Noun?
Should you say 'una bella casa' or 'una casa bella'? Both exist, but they mean subtly different things. This guide explains when Italian adjectives go before or after the noun — and why it matters.
Italian Articles: Il, Lo, La, I, Gli, Le — The Complete Guide
Italian has seven definite articles and four indefinite articles, and choosing the right one depends on gender, number, and the first sound of the following word. Here is everything you need to know.
Italian Comparatives and Superlatives: Più, Meno, Meglio, Peggio
Comparing things in Italian is easier than you think — but the irregular forms (meglio, peggio, migliore, peggiore) trip up learners at every level. This guide covers all the patterns clearly.
The Italian Conditional Perfect: How to Say 'Would Have Done'
The condizionale passato lets you talk about things that would have happened but did not — regrets, hypotheticals, and reported speech. This guide explains when and how to use it.
The Italian Conditional Tense: How to Say 'Would' in Italian
The Italian conditional tense lets you express what you would do, what you would like, and polite requests. It's regular, easy to form, and immediately makes your Italian sound more natural and polite.
Italian Demonstrative Pronouns: Questo vs Quello — This vs That
Questo and quello are Italian for 'this' and 'that' — but they change form based on gender, number, and the following sound. This guide covers every form with clear examples.
Italian Double Negatives: Why Non... Nessuno Is Correct
In English, two negatives cancel each other out. In Italian, they stack up — and that's perfectly correct. Learn why 'Non ho visto nessuno' is the only right way to say 'I didn't see anyone.'
Italian Double Object Pronouns: Me Lo, Te La, Glielo — Explained
Double object pronouns are one of the trickiest parts of Italian grammar. Learn exactly how to combine direct and indirect pronouns — and why they change form when paired together.
The Italian Future Perfect (Futuro Anteriore): When and How to Use It
The futuro anteriore describes an action that will be completed before another future event — or expresses a probable past action. It sounds advanced but follows a simple formula.
Italian Future Tense: Regular and Irregular Verbs + Practice Sentences
The Italian future tense (futuro semplice) is formed with just one set of endings — and it works for -are, -ere, and -ire verbs alike. Here are the rules, the irregular stems, and sentences to practise with.
The Italian Gerund: How and When to Use -ando and -endo
The Italian gerund (-ando, -endo) is simpler than it looks. Learn how to form it, when to use it, and how it differs from the English -ing form.
The Italian Imperative: How to Give Commands and Instructions
The Italian imperative is used for commands, instructions, requests, and advice. It has separate forms for informal and formal address — and a quirky negative twist. Here is the complete guide.
Italian Impersonal Si: How to Say 'One Does' or 'People Do' in Italian
The impersonal si is one of the most useful structures in Italian — it lets you say 'one does', 'people do', or 'you do' in a general sense. Learn the rules, the patterns, and the most common mistakes.
Italian Indirect Object Pronouns: Mi, Ti, Gli, Le — Explained Simply
Indirect object pronouns tell you to whom or for whom something happens. They're short, common, and slightly tricky — especially gli vs le. This guide explains each one clearly with plenty of examples.
Italian Modal Verbs: Potere, Volere, Dovere — The Complete Guide
Potere, volere, and dovere are the three Italian modal verbs — can, want, and must. Learn their conjugations, how they work with other verbs, and the tricky auxiliary question in compound tenses.
Italian Negation: Non, Mai, Niente, Nessuno — How to Say No in Italian
Italian negation goes far beyond just saying 'non'. Learn how to use mai, niente, nessuno, più, ancora, and affatto — and why Italian double negatives are actually correct grammar.