THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE IMPERFETTO AND PASSATO PROSSIMO
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE IMPERFETTO AND PASSATO PROSSIMO
What’s the difference between the imperfetto and the passato prossimo?
Both the imperfetto and passato prossimo are used to describe past situations. However, one is used when the action is finished, happens once, and has a time reference: the passato prossimo. The imperfetto, instead, as the name says, it is a “non-perfect” and describes an action that lasted for an indefinite time (we don’t know the start or end of the action) in the past or an action that was repeatedly happening.
THE USE OF THE PASSATO PROSSIMO
The passato prossimo is used to describe actions with a time reference. The action you are describing is not a repeated action, it happened at a specific time, and you know when it started and ended.
Examples:
- Due anni fa ho partecipato ad una competizione sciistica
- Ieri sera ho guardato il Titanic
Typical time expressions using the passato prossimo
- Ieri, ieri sera, l’altro ieri
- Due anni fa, 10 anni fa
- L’anno scorso, il mese scorso, la settimana scorsa
THE USE OF THE IMPERFETTO
The are three main uses of the imperfetto in Italian
1. We use the imperfetto in Italian when talking about ongoing actions in the past without a time reference. In other words, you are describing a time of your life that went on for a while, being that when you were little, in school, or your twenties.
- Quando frequentavo l’università, passavo molto tempo in biblioteca
- Quando ero piccola andavo a trovare spesso i miei nonni di domenica
- A trent’anni vivevo ancora con i miei genitori
2. The imperfect is also used to compare how life used to be and how it is now.
- Prima le persone guardavano i film in TV, adesso guardano i film su Netflix
- Prima i bambini giocavano fuori in strada, adesso giocano con i videogiochi
3. The imperfetto is also used to describe people, objects, situations, or places in the past.
- Maria era una bambina allegro e vivace. Viveva in una casa piccola con i suoi genitori, che erano entrambi medici all’ospedale centrale di Roma. Aveva un piccolo criceto come animale, perché la sua casa era così piccola..
Common expressonions using the imperfetto
Some time expressions indicate that an action its repetition itself regularly when talk in the past, for example:
- Ogni mattina / ogni settimana / ogni mese
- Regolarmente / solitamente / di solito
- Quando avevo “x” anni
- Sempre
- Tutti i giorni / tutti i mesi / tutti gli anni
💡Smart Tip
The Italian Imperfetto is often used to translate the forms:
- I used to…
- I would…
- I was -ing..
- I -ed
So, for example, IO STUDIAVO can be translated into English, like:
- I used to study…
- I would study…(in the past)
- I was studying
- I studied
When the passato prossimo and the imperfetto are used in the same sentence
Imperfetto + passato prossimo
We use both the imperfetto and the passato prossimo in the same sentence when describing an ongoing action interrupted by another vacation.
For example:
- Mentre lavoravo al computer, ho ricevuto una chiamata dal mio capo.
Differences between the passato prossimo and imperfetto
How to practice the difference between the passato prossimo and imperfetto
I understand getting a good grip of how the imperfetto works in Italian can be a little of a challenge. Mastering the theory is one thing. Using it properly in Italian conversation is another.
If you would like to work on the imperfetto and passato with a professional coach, you can book a master class on my website.
If you prefer self-study, I suggest working on your Italian pasts using this textbook, focusing specifically on the differences between passato prossimo e imperfetto.