Download I verbi regolari in –are

I verbi regolari in –are
This is by far the largest of the three verb groups in Italian. Endings in RED show
the characteristic –a– vowel. (Blue endings appear in all verb groups.)
(infinitivo)
parl- are
to speak; sometimes “speaking”
(io)
parl-o
parl-i
parl- a
parl- a
I speak, am speaking
parl-iamo
parl- ate
parl- ano
parl- ano
we speak, are speaking
(tu)
(Lei)
(lui, lei)
(noi)
(voi)
(Loro)
(loro)
you speak, are speaking
you speak, are speaking
he/she speaks, is speaking
you (all) speak, are speaking
you speak, are speaking
they speak, are speaking
Endings that are always STRESSED: -àre, -iàmo, -àte (accents not written)
Endings that are always UNSTRESSED: `-o, `-i, `-a, `-ano (verb stem is stressed)
Note the THEME VOWEL –A– of this conjugation! It appears in the endings in
boxes and distinguishes this group from others. You’ll see later that there are two
other groups with different vowels (e and i), so pay attention to this now. (The
ending -iamo is the same in all groups, so the –a– is not thematic in that form.)
Pronounce all vowels fully; do not slur any into a schwa sound as in English. Be
especially careful with unaccented final –a and in the ending –ano.
Remember that subject pronouns are used sparingly in Italian. You can see that the
verb endings themselves are very clear indicators. Pronouns are used mainly for
clarification, emphasis, or contrast, and not on a routine basis as in English. That’s
why it’s important to zero in your mind on the verb endings from the start, as they
convey the information that pronouns do in English.
Watch out for spelling changes:
1. -c, -g + -are need hardening –h– before endings beginning in i to preserve
hard consonants:
cercare: cerco, cerchi, cerca; cerchiamo, cercate, cercano
(seek, look for)
spiegare: spiego, spieghi, spiega; spieghiamo, spiegate, spiegano
(explain)
2. -iare verbs: The –i– may be a softener or may be part of the stem.
It’s in all forms, but those with an –i ending don’t add a second i:
tu/noi:
i is softener:
mangiare, mangio, mangia, ecc.
mangi, mangiamo (one i)
i is part of stem:
studiare, studio, studiano, studiate
studi, studiamo (one i)
Command forms (imperativo) of –are verbs
We will learn more about the imperative later, but you have seen all of the following
forms in action. You may as well know what’s going on.
In commands (“imperatives”), the tu and Lei forms switch their endings. You may
have noticed ths from unit 1.
Present tense
tu –i, Lei –a
(tu)
Command form
(tu) –a, (Lei) -i
Marco, mangi adesso?
Giulia, giochi bene a carte!
Laura, ascolti spesso la radio?
(Lei) Signore, Lei parla bene l’inglese.
Dottore, quando cena Lei?
Lei balla bene, signora!
Mangia più tardi! Scusa!
Gioca con noi, allora!
Ascolta la musica con me adesso!
Ma scusi. Parli italiano con me,
per favore!
Ceni con noi stasera!
Balli con me, per piacere!
The voi command is just like the voi form:
Amici, mangiate!
Scusate!
Giocate!
Ascoltate bene!