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Italian Grammar Lessons: Uses Of The Infinitive

This lesson will refresh your memory regarding the various uses of the infinitive, and introduce some that may be new to you!

We use the infinitive:

1. After the modal verbs ‘volere’, ‘potere’ and ‘dovere’. For example:
Devo svegliarmi presto domani. Puoi spegnere la televisione?

2. After verbs that collocate with the preposition ‘di’. For example:
Ho deciso di comprare una macchina nuova.

3. In clauses which answer the question ‘Quando?’. For example:
Dopo aver rapinato l’anziana, il ladro è fuggito con la borsa.

4. In clauses which answer the question ‘Perché?’ For example:
Sono stato messo in punizione per aver detto una bugia ai miei genitori.

5. In clauses of purpose. For example:
Ho insistito molto per avere il permesso dei miei genitori.

6. In clauses expressing consequences. For example:
Era una ragazza così bella da essere invidiata da tutte le sue comapgne di classe.

7. In clauses which answer the question ‘Come?’ For example:
Se n’è andato senza nemmeno salutarci.

8. In clauses meaning ‘except’. For example:
Mi piace fare di tutto in vacanza, tranne visitare i musei.

9. In noun phrases. For example:
Fare una colazione abbondante aiuta a stare bene tutto il giorno.

10. The infinitive is also commonly used to give instructions. For example:
Soffriggere la cipolla per due minuti e aggiungere i pomodori.
Al prossimo incrocio girare a destra e procedere per 200 metri.

11. And finally, did you know that the infinitive can be used as a noun? (If it requires an article, it is always masculine.) For example:
Tra il dire e il fare c’è di mezzo il mare.

Back to Italian lesson on: infinitive

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