What is the Infinitive in Italian?

The infinitive is the base form of a verb, which represents its most basic meaning without any indication of tense, person, or number. In English, infinitives are typically preceded by the word “to,” as in “to eat” or “to dance.” In Italian, infinitives can be easily recognized by their endings, which are typically -are, -ere, or -ire.

Italian Infinitive Endings

Italian verbs are categorized into three main groups based on their infinitive endings:

1. First conjugation (-are): These verbs have infinitive forms that end in -are, like parlare (to talk), mangiare (to eat), and studiare (to study).
2. Second conjugation (-ere): These verbs have infinitive forms that end in -ere, like vedere (to see), leggere (to read), and scrivere (to write).
3. Third conjugation (-ire): These verbs have infinitive forms that end in -ire, like dormire (to sleep), partire (to leave), and sentire (to hear).

Functions of the Infinitive in Italian

The infinitive in Italian serves various functions in sentences. Here are some of the most common uses:

1. As the Subject of a Sentence

In Italian, the infinitive can act as the subject of a sentence, usually in impersonal constructions. In these cases, the infinitive is often followed by the verb “essere” (to be).

Example:

• Mangiare è un piacere. (Eating is a pleasure.)

2. After Prepositions

The infinitive is used after prepositions, such as per (for), senza (without), and prima di (before).

Examples:

• Vado a Roma per studiare l’italiano. (I go to Rome to study Italian.)
• Ho finito di lavorare senza fare pausa. (I finished working without taking a break.)

3. After Modal Verbs

Modal verbs, such as potere (can), dovere (must), and volere (want), are followed by the infinitive form of the main verb.

Examples:

• Posso parlare italiano. (I can speak Italian.)
• Devi studiare per l’esame. (You must study for the exam.)

Conjugating the Infinitive in Italian

In Italian, the infinitive is often used in its conjugated forms to express various tenses and moods. Here are some of the most common conjugations:

1. Present Infinitive

The present infinitive is the base form of the verb, as discussed earlier. It is used to express actions or events that are happening in the present or in the future.

Examples:

• Mi piace ballare. (I like to dance.)
• Voglio imparare l’italiano. (I want to learn Italian.)

2. Past Infinitive

The past infinitive is formed by combining the auxiliary verb “avere” (to have) or “essere” (to be) in the infinitive form with the past participle of the main verb. It is used to express actions or events that occurred in the past.

Examples:

• Avrei voluto vedere quel film. (I would have liked to see that movie.)
• Sarebbe stato meglio partire prima. (It would have been better to leave earlier.)

The Infinitive with Pronouns

In Italian, pronouns can be attached to the infinitive to create a more complex verb form. Here are some examples:

• Mi piace mangiarlo. (I like eating it.)
• Devi dirgli la verità. (You must tell him the truth.)

In these examples, the pronoun is attached to the infinitive with a hyphen, and the final -e of the infinitive is dropped.

Conclusion

The infinitive plays a crucial role in the Italian language, serving as the base form of verbs and expressing various tenses and moods. By mastering the infinitive, you will greatly improve your understanding of Italian grammar and your ability to communicate effectively in Italian. We hope this comprehensive guide has provided you with valuable insights and practical examples to enhance your knowledge of the Italian infinitive. Buono studio!