ILGUR: Italian Language, Grammar and Usage Resource

Since is one of those English words that can get a bit confusing when trying to find its equivalent in Italian because it’s one of those words that is not simply a direct translation.  Recently, a reader asked me to explain the uses of visto che and dato che and decided to combine the readers question into the more expanded topic of since.

In English, since can be a preposition, adverb or a conjunction.  Let’s look at how this all works in Italian:

Since as a preposition:

As a preposition, since is translated with the preposition, da — this is usually with time expressions:

Suono il flauto da 13 anni.

I have been playing the flute for thirteen years.

Faccio il professore dal 2003.

I have been a teacher since 2003.

Notice the use of the present tense + da — you can read more about that here.

Since as a conjunction:

As a conjunction, since is expressed in two ways:

1) from the time when | da quando, dal tempo in cui: This usage is similar to since as a preposition except that this is used as a conjunction  - remember in this construction as a conjunction, it must join two clauses.

Suono il flauto da quando avevo 13 anni.

I have been playing the flute since I was thirteen.

2) because, given that | visto che, dato che, poiché

Non andiamo al cinema visto che sei stanco.

We are not going to the cinema seeing that (since) you are tired.

Dato che non sei abituato al caldo, forse è meglio non uscire questo pomeriggio.

Given that you are not used to the heat, perhaps it is better not go out this afternoon.

Poiché nevicava, ho deciso di stare a casa. Le strade sono pericolose!

Since it was snowing, I decided to stay home. The streets are dangerous.

NB: Visto che and dato che can be used synonymously.

Since as an adverb:

Since can also be used adverbially. In English, since can mean subsequently and usually refers to some previous point in the past. It can also refer to a definite point in the past that relates to the present or can be synonymous with “ago”:

When since means subsequently, use da allora:

Non l’ho vista da allora.

I have not seen her since.

Da allora ci siamo visti ogni estate.

We’ve seen each other every summer since.

Take note of these English expressions using since and their approximate Italian equivalents:

not long since | da poco, da poco tempo
ever since | da allora
long since | da molto, da molto tempo, da un pezzo
many years since | molti anni fa

The adverb, mica, is a useful one, and, if you can understand its usage, will make you sound more like a native speaker. Mica is used more in the north of Italy than elsewhere in Italy, but it is still a useful expression to know, and you might hear it used throughout Italy. It is heard more often than it is seen. It is also very colloquial and informal and should be avoided in your writing.

You will also find that mica is used differently throughout Italy, but below are some general guidelines on its usage. Below are some rules and tips regarding its usage:

Mica is an adverb. Remember that adverbs modify other adverbs, adjectives and verbs. Adverbs never modify nouns, and this will help in understanding its usage.

Mica can be used with non to reinforce the negative. It is difficult to translate, but can mean in the least or at all. With these examples below, t the usage will become clearer:

Monica mi ha detto delle cose orribili. Ma non sono mica offesa.
Monica said some horrible things to me. But I am not offended in the least.

Miriam non riesce a pagare oggi. La sua amica non era mica arrabbiata.
Miriamo is unable to pay you today. Her friend was not at all angry.

Il biglietto non era mica costoso. Te l’ho comprato.
The ticket wasn’t expensive at all. I bought it for you!

Mica can precede adjectives or adverbs to provide a negation or in place of non before the verb. Remember that these type of constructions are very colloquial in nature:

Ti è piaciuto il film?
Did you like the film?

Mica tanto. Era noioso e troppo lungo.
Not much. It was boring and too long.

Ciao, Emilio! Come va?
Hey, Emilio! How’s it going?

Mica male! E tu?
Not bad! And you?

Mica è corretto inquinare il mare!
It is not at all right to pollute the sea!

Mica noioso quel attore!
That actor is not boring in the least!

Mica can be used in negative questions with the meaning, by any chance; when the subject is a pronoun, it cannot be omitted (as in the first example below):

Qualcuno mi ha telefonato ieri notte mentre dormivo. Non sei mica stato tu?
Someone phoned me last night while I was sleeping. It wasn’t you by any chance?

Tua madre non ha mica comprato una nuova macchina?
Your mother didn’t buy that new car by any chance?

Try to use mica in your informal writings and conversation! If you have a question on its usage, post your example as a comment, and I’ll provide some feedback.

last updated: 11 May 2011

Adverbs are important elements of Italian grammar – there are a lot of adverbs and adverbial phrases that crop up in reading and in conversation.

Adverbs are used in grammar in both English and Italian to modify verbs, adjectives or even other adverbs. In Italian, it is important to remember that adverbs are invariable – meaning that they do not change form to agree with a subject or a verb (unlike adjectives and verb forms!).

Adverbs can be formed from any adjective. It is quite simple. See the example below, using the adjective rapido:

rapido -> rapida -> rapidamente

Adverbs in Italian are formed with the feminine singular of the adjective with a suffix of -mente added on the end. There are some caveats to be aware of:

1. Leggero is an exception. Leggero -> leggermente
2. Adjectives ending in -le or -re simply drop the last -e and tack on the -mente suffix:difficile -> difficilmente
   cordiale -> coridalmente
   volgare -> volgarmente

The position of adverbs is important also. Follow these guildlines:

1. Adverbs also come after the verb.
2. Some adverbs come between the helping verb and the past participle of compound tenses. These adverbs that commonly have this function are: già, mai, più, sempre, and spesso.
3. For special emphasis or a special meaning, placement of the adverbs before the verb is also a possibility.
4. Anche (also) never ends a sentence in Italian. It always precedes the word it modifies. Placement of anche can alter the meaning of the sentence
5. Adverbs of time (domani, oggi, ieri, etc.) generally come at the beginning of the sentence, although there is no hard and fast rule.

Another helpful hint for forming an adverb from an adjective!! If you ever are in doubt, follow this construction:

• in modo + adjective

  in modo rapido = rapidamente
  in modo chiaro = chiaramente

An adverb are recognizeable because they end in – is word or expression (or phrase as the case may be in Italian) that can modify a verb, an adjective or even another adverb. In Italian, adverbs end in -mente, which are created from the feminine form of the adjective:

• chiaro -> chiara -> chiaramente
• nuovo -> nuova -> nuovamente
• stanco -> stanca -> stancamente

If the adjective ends in -le or -re, the e is dropped before the -mente is added:

• facile -> facil -> facilmente
• particolare -> particolar -> particolarmente

Adverbs are always invariable, which means that they do not change form to agree with the word they modify.

The positions of adverbs can be important too. Here are some guidelines for where to place the adverbs:

1. Adverbs typically follow the verb.
2. In compound tenses, the following adverbs split the helping verb from the past participle:
   gia, mai, piu, sempre, spesso. Also spesso and piu can also follow the verb.

   Ho sempre mangiato le mele.
   Non mi hanno mai parlato.

3. Adverbs can be placed before the verb for added emphasis.
4. Anche should be placed before the word (verb, adjective or other adverb) it modifies, and is never placed at the end of a sentence.
5. Adverbs of time are often placed at the beginning of a sentence.
6. A useful adverbial expression, in modo + adjective can replace adverbs formed with -mente:

   raramente = in modo raro
   nuovamente = in modo nuovo
   chiaramente = in modo chiaro