February 7

Italian Gerund simple explanation

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Stare + gerundio

This construction is used very frequently in Italian. We use it to indicate an action that takes place in this precise moment, at the time we are speaking.

The gerund is used with the present tense of verb stare (to be/to stay)

Take a look at these examples:

Simonetta sta lavorando. – Simonetta is working

Matteo sta leggendo. – Matt is reading

I bambini stanno giocando. – The children are playing

Sto facendo la fila – I’m queuing up

We form this construction using the verb ‘stare’ with the ‘gerundio’ of the verb:

  • ARE verbs add “-ando”. Example:  parl-ando   (speaking)
  • ERE verbs add “-endo”. Example:  vend-endo   (selling)
  • IRE verbs add “-endo”. Example:  dorm-endo   (sleeping)
  • Verbs ending in -are form the gerundio by adding the suffix -ando to the root of the verb. Examples: lavorare-lavorando / giocare-giocando / parlare-parlando
  • Verbs ending in -ere/-ire form the gerundio by adding the suffix -endo to the root of the verb
  • Examples: leggere-leggendo/ tenere-tenendo / venire-venendo / dormire-dormendo

The following three verbs are the only irregular ones:

fare: facendo

dire: dicendo

bere: bevendo

As mentioned before, we use this construction to talk about something happening now, in this exact moment. See these further examples:

Sto aspettando il mio treno. I’m waiting for my train.

Antonio sta giocando a carte. Anthony is playing cards.

Rita sta mangiando un gelato. Rita is eating an ice cream.

Stiamo bevendo un caffe’ al bar. Vuoi raggiungerci?

We’re drinking an caffe’ at the Bar. Do you want to join us?

Why don’t you join one of the Italian for Beginners classes in Manchester, Chorlton or Didsbury. Contact Learn Italian Manchester for more info.

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About Learn Italian Manchester: My name is Amedea and I’m a native Italian language tutor with a real passion for my language. I run Italian language classes in Manchester which are sociable, fun and designed to teach you Italian you will really use. As well as Italian classes in Manchester (Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced), Online Italian classes via Skype or Zoom. I also teach 1 to 1 Italian lessons and cover areas including Manchester City Centre,Didsbury, Chorlton, Sale, Altrincham, Hale, Woodford, Bramhall and others.  If you would like to do something new, learn to speak Italian and make new friends along the way! Contact me at: hello@learnitalianmanchester.co.uk


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Italian grammar, Learn Italian


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