Italian Reference Grammar - Verbs

Introduction to the Italian verb

'Verbs are used to assert or state what is happening, or what is the case. They are sometimes called 'doing words' or 'action words', but they do not always show action: if we say 'he is bone idle' or 'he has stopped' there is not much action going on. 

'Verbs also show the time when things are happening: this is called the tense of the verb.' (Language into Languages Teaching, University of Glasgow, Scottish Executive Education Department, 2001)

Subject pronouns

The subject pronouns are:

Points to note

• 'Tu' is traditionally used to address close friends, members of the immediate family, close relatives, children and animals and pets. Otherwise its use can be considered condescending.
• 'Lei', strictly speaking, is the third person singular, but is also the polite/formal form to address another person when the speakers are not closely acquainted.
• In school, teachers would address individual pupils by 'tu', and groups of pupils by 'voi'. Pupils should address the teacher by 'lei'.
• 'Esso'/'essa' (singular) and 'essi'/'esse' (plural) are used to talk about animals and objects.
• The subject pronoun is not usually expressed in sentences. As in Spanish and Latin, the verb ending will denote the subject. For example, 'Guardo la televisione' ('I watch the television') is more common than 'Io guardo la televisione.'

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