ILGUR: Italian Language, Grammar and Usage Resource

One of the most common “mistakes” that speakers of Italian make is confusing the usage of visitare and the verb expression, andare/venire a trovare qualcuno.

In Italian, visitare means to visit but in specific circumstances and contexts. Be careful when using it to describe visiting people, because it gives the impression of a visit to or by your doctor and generally means to examine or to see.  If you say that you’re going to visit Maria and use visitare,  it gives the impression that Maria is your doctor and is giving you a check-up — see the examples below:

Oggi mio nonno ha preso un appuntamento dal medico. Vuole essere visitato dato che non sta molto bene.
Today my grandfather made an appointment at the doctor’s. He wants to be examined since he is not feeling well.

But, you can use visitare to mean to visit when you talk about going to cities, towns, museums, attractions, etc:

Quando sei andato a Roma, hai visitato molti musei interessanti?
When you went to Rome, did you visit many interesting museums?

As you know, in Italian the preposition, a, precedes cities and town (Vado a Londra | I am going to London).  With visitare, it is a common error to use the preposition, a, but this must be avoided with visitare since it is transitive (with the direct objects — those cities and towns — are receiving the action of the verb):

Sono andato a Londra e ad Amsterdam. Hai mai visitato Londra? È bellissima!
I went to London and Amsterdam. Did you ever visit London? It’s very beautiful!

When talking about visiting people, use andare/venire a trovare qualcuno, which literally means “to go/to come to find someone“. However, the usage between the two differs:

1. When you’re speaking to the person to whom you are visiting (or plan to visit or have visited, etc.), you use venire a trovare
2. When you’re talking about visiting someone, and you are not addressing the person to whom you plan to visit directly, use andare a trovare.

Note the placement of the object pronoun — it generally attaches to the infinitive, trovare. Let’s look at some examples:

Marta: Ho parlato con Luigi! È molto ansioso!
Marta: I spoke with Luigi. He’s very anxious!

Roberto: La madre di Luigi andrà presto a trovarlo?
Robert: Luigi’s mom is visiting him soon?

Marta: Che fai questa estate?
Marta: What are you doing this summer?

Roberto: Vado a trovare Luigi. Passa un’estate a Barcellona, e mi ha invitato a passare l’estate con lui.
Roberto: I’m going to visit Luigi. He’s spending a summer in Barcelona, and he invited me to spend the summer with him.

Marta: Dov’è andato Marco?
Marta: Where did Marco go?

Roberto: Marco è andato a trovare Luisa. Ha deciso di andare perché non è mai stato a Palermo.
Roberto: Marco visited Luisa. He decided to go because he has never been to Palermo.

Marta: Non ci vediamo più.
Marta: We do not see each other any more.

Roberto: Vieni a trovarmi! Mi manchi!
Roberto: Visit me! I miss you!

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Direct and indirect speech can be confusing in Italian, and I hope that this explanation will not only clear up some of your confusion but also make you a better speaker and writer of Italian. The discorso indiretto is often introduced by the following verbs: dire, domandare, chiedere, rispondere, ordinare, esortare, pregare and many other verbs that ask or tell.

Let’s look at the differences between direct and indirect speech:

Direct speech (underlined) is that which is actually spoken by a particular person.  Remember that discorso diretto is made up of two parts:  the frase principale that introduces the direct speech and the direct speech, the part that is enclosed in the quotation marks:

Marco disse, “Non mi va di uscire stasera.“
Marco said, “I don’t feel like going out tonight.”

In the example above, the words in the quotation marks are those actually spoken by Marco and is the direct speech (discorso diretto).  This is what we call direct speech or discorso diretto.

Indirect speech is where the words of another are reported by others, for example:

Marco disse che non gli andava di uscire stasera.
Marco said he didn’t feel like going out tonight.

Do you see the difference?  In example #1, we know that it is Marco who is expressing his desire to stay home because of the words he expresses within the quotation marks.  In example #2, we know that Marco is expressing his desire to stay home because it is being reported by another — in other words, discorso indiretto!

Discorso indiretto with interrogatives

The discorso indiretto has a few caveats with interrogative sentences.  If the discorso diretto is in the form of a question, and the answer to that question could be either yes or no, then the conjunction, se, is used:

diretto: Marcello mi ha chiesto: “Vuoi andare al cinema?”

indiretto: Marcello mi ha chiesto se voglio andare al cinema.

The same interrogative transfers over in the discorso indiretto:

diretto: Annalisa mi ha domandato:  ”Quando vai al cinema?“

indiretto:  Annalisa mi ha domandato quando vado al cinema.

Change of tenses in the discorso indiretto

The confusing part is how the tenses are used.  Let’s study the rules below:

- The tenses remain unchanged when the frase principale (principal phrase) is in the presente or passato prossimo if the passato prossimo refers to an event in the recent past (He says, He just said):

diretto: Marco dice, “Per avere successo in vita devo sempre studiare.”

indiretto: Marco dice che per avere successo in vita deve sempre studiare.

diretto: Marco ha appena detto, “Per avere successo in vita devo sempre studiare.”

indiretto: Marco ha appena detto che per avere successo in vita deve sempre studiare.

- If the direct speech is introduced by passato remoto or the presente storico (Marco disse, “…” ), then the present tense of the direct speech (underlined) becomes the imperfetto:

diretto: Marco disse, “Non mi va di uscire oggi.”

indiretto: Marco disse che non gli andava di uscire in quel giorno.

- When the direct speech is in the passato prossimo or the passato remoto, then the trapassato prossimo is used:

diretto: Matteo mi disse, “Non sono uscito ieri notte.”

indiretto: Matteo mi ha detto che non era uscito ieri notte.

- The imperfetto remains unchanged in indirect speech unless the action of the direct speech takes place before that of the the independent clause, in which case the trapassato prossimo or congiuntivo trapassato is used, depending on the verb (NB: some verbs may requires the subjunctive):

diretto: Marco mi disse, “Non uscivo ieri notte.”

indiretto: Marco mi disse che non usciva la notte prima.

diretto: Marco mi consigliò: “Non uscivo ieri notte.”

indiretto: Marco mi consigliò che non avesse uscito la notte prima.”

- The trapassato prossimo and the congiuntivo trapassato remain unchanged in indirect speech:

diretto: Marco mi disse, “Non ero uscito ieri notte.”

indiretto: Marco mi disse che non era uscito ieri notte.

- The futuro semplice of the direct speech becomes the condizionale passato in indirect speech:

diretto: Marco disse, “Non andrò al cinema domani.”

indiretto: Marco disse che non sarebbe andato al cinema l’indomani.

- The futuro anteriore of the direct speech becomes the congiuntivo trapassato:

diretto: Marco disse, “Sarò andato al cinema prima che ritornerai.”

indiretto:  Marco disse che fosse andato al cinema prima che avresti ritornato.

- If the direct speech is in the present or past subjunctive, then the indirect speech is expressed in the imperfetto or trapassato congiuntivo:

diretto: Marco disse, “Sono contento che tu venga al cinema con noi!”

indiretto: Marco disse che era contento che tu venissi al cinema con noi!”

diretto: Marco disse, “Sono contento che tu sia venuto al cinema con noi!”

indiretto: Marco disse che era contento che tu fossi venuto con noi!”

The chart below outlines the change of tenses and may serve as a quick reference when you’re unsure:

Using the imperative (see Lesson 144 on how to form the imperative) is not simply about commanding others or ordering them about. In Italian, it is more versatile than in English. In Italian, the imperative is not necessarily rude, whereas in English, using the imperative would be considered rude without first using words like Please or Thank you which alert to receiver of the command that your request is a polite one.

In all of the examples below, they could be re-written without using the imperative. The imperative, though, adds a sense of urgency and immediacy to your Italian and makes your phrases stronger without necessarily making them sound rude or discourteous.

At cafes and bars, you will often hear the baristas and waiters/waitresses use commands such as Mi dica (literally: Tell me, but is not as abrasive as in English, and means What would you like?) or Senta (literally: Listen, but in some contexts it is a polite way of getting someone’s attention or alerting them that you are about to impart to them some important information).

In Italian, the imperative can be used in the following situations. Remember to use the correct form — formal or informal — depending upon the situation and context:

to give permission

Mamma, posso prendere un biscotto adesso?

Sì, Giuseppe, mangiane solo uno!

to give a command or an order

Alla dogana il funzionario americano ordinò, “Signori, firmino il modulo con il nome completo.”

to get someone’s attention

Guido sta camminando per la strada quando vede che un estraneo che fa cadere il suo portafoglio. “Guardi, signore! L’è caduto il tuo portafoglio!” esclamò Guido.

to relay instructions or directions

Mariella: “Maria, come preparo questa zuppa?”
Maria: “Prima, riempi la pentola con l’acqua, aggiungi il sale, e lascia bollire…”

to advise

Marco: “Giacomo, sono sempre stanco. Cosa posso fare per dormire meglio?”
Giacomo: “Non andare a letto alle 3 di mattina e non alzarti alle 6!”

Try to incorporate the imperative in your conversation, and do not be afraid to use it with strangers, remembering to use formal commands with people you do not know!  Many avoid using it, but it can be a simple way of making a request, especially when you’re at a bar trying to order a coffee, asking for more towels at your hotel and what not!

Please note that I will add more examples as time permits!  Thanks for your patience!

In Italian, there is a group of verbs known as verbi fraseoligici or phraseological verbs.  These verbs combine with infinitives or gerunds to form a unique verb predicate that differs in function from the verb when used on its own.  Let’s look at the differences with the verb, finire:

Marco ha finito il libro perché deve leggere due altri libri.

Marco finished the book because he has to read two other books.

In the example above, we can infer that Marco has completed his task of reading the book.  However, if we say:

Marco ha finito di leggere il libro perché vuole mangiare qualcosa..

Marco has finished/stopped reading the book because he wants to eat something.

We cannot say for certain that the book is finished (perhaps he has another couple of chapters to go?), only that, for the moment, he has stopped reading because he wants to do something else.  He maybe pick up the book again later.  This nuance is important to understanding the difference between the verb used on its to that of the phraseological version.  You can see this nuance with other verbs — let’s look at stare per + infinitive:

Scusa, non posso parlare adesso.  Sto per uscire con i miei amici perché vogliamo vedere il nuovo film di Tom Cruise, e comincia fra poco.

Excuse me, I can’t talk now.  I am about to go out with my friends because we want to see the new Tom Cruise film, and it starts soon.

In the example above, my departure (to go and meet my friends) is imminent, and it’s evident that I’m on my way out the door.  But if I say:

Scusa, non posso parlare adesso.  Esco con i miei amici perché vogliamo vedere il nuovo film di Tom Cruise, e comincia fra poco.

Excuse me, I can’t talk now.  I am going out with my friends because we want to see the new Tom Cruise film, and it starts soon.

In the example without stare per, there is no imminent departure (although it is possible that I am heading out the door), only the idea that I am going out with my friends.  These verb/infinitive (or verb/gerundio) couplings help clarify how actions are unfolding.

I verbi fraseologici are divided into five categories:

• progressive actions (that is, actions that are already under way)
• imminent actions (actions that are about to take place but have not yet begun)
• the start of an action (an action that has started but is not in a state of continuation)
• the continuation of an action (an action that will keep happening/taking place)
• the end of an action

Progressive actions

Progressive actions are pretty straightforward — they indicate actions which are happening now (or, in past tenses, an action that was happening at that point in time).  In Italian these are conveyed using stare + gerundio.  In some parts of Italy, stare a + infinito is also used, although this form is very dialectical and should be avoided in standard Italian (although you will hear it often in the south of Italy):

Sto guardando la nuova puntata di Annozero.  Ti chiamo più tardi?

I am watching the new episode of Annozero.  I’ll call you later?

Progressive actions can also be expressed with andare and venire + gerundio when you want to express an action that repeats, is frequent or to signal more intensity/importance to that action:

Marco va spiegando agli studenti la lezione.

Marci is explaining the lesson (repeatedly) to the students.

Imminent actions

An imminent action is one that is about to commence or take place and can be expressed in Italian with the following expressions:

essere lì lì per + infinito | to be on the verge of doing something

Ero lì lì per chiamare Maria quando ha squillato il mio telefonino!  Che sorpesa!  Era proprio Maria!

I was on the verge of calling Maria when my mobile rang!  What a surprise!  It was Maria calling!

stare per + infinito | to be about to do something

accingersi a + infinito | to prepare to do something

prepararsi a + infinito | to get ready to do something

Start of an action

The start of an action is one that has just begun, but one that has not yet progressed too far.  In Italian, the following expressions can be used:

cominciare a + infinito | to start to do something

iniziare a + infinito | to begin to, to start to do something

Peccato che inizi a piovere!  Volevo giocare a tennis con Marco ma è impossibile giocare quando il campo da tennis è bagnato.

It’s a pity that it is starting to rain!  I wanted to play tennis with Marco but it is not possible to play when the tennis court is wet.

mettersi a + infinito | to take up something

darsi a + infinito | to take to doing something

prendere a + infinito | to start doing something

Continuation of an action

The continuation of an action is one that has begun and will keep going.  In Italian, this can be expressed with the following:

continuare a + infinito | to continue to do something

andare avanti a + infinito | to keep doing something

seguitare a + infinito | to keep on doing something

ostinarsi a + infinito | to persist in doing something

End of an action

These verbs convey that an action has ended.  Notice in the verbs below the use of the pronoun, la — when the verbs are used with the la they are more colloquial in nature and adds more emphasis, urgency and insistence to the phrase:

smettere/smetterla di + infinito | to stop doing something (forever)

finire/finirla di + infinito | to finish doing something (for the moment)

piantar(la) di + infinito | to stop doing something

Annalisa, piantala di dare fastidio a tuo fratello! Vai in camera tua e lascialo studiare!

Annalisa, stop bothering your brother!  Go to your room and let him study!

When the pronominal versions of the verb are used, avere is used in compound tenses, and the past participle agrees with the pronoun, la.

Marcello and I have started a new site called A spasso con l’italiano!  Each week we’ll post a question about Italy, current events, or some other topic, and we invite you to respond in Italian by leaving a comment on the blog.  It doesn’t have to be a long response – you can write just a few sentences or, if you feel comfortable, a few hundred words. The goal is to practice writing in Italian and improving your Italian!

Marcello and I will respond to your comments and will leave corrections and tips for improving your writing!