Ho Saputo vs. Sapevo: The Difference Explained
The passato prossimo/present perfect (ho saputo) and imperfetto/imperfect (sapevo) of the verb sapere have two different meanings. Let’s break them down in detail. Ho Saputo (Passato Prossimo) Meaning: “I found out” or “I learned” Usage:...
Pensare a vs Pensare di: The Difference and How to Use Them Correctly
Pensare a vs. Pensare di The verb pensare in Italian can be used with two different prepositions: “di” or “a”. These two constructions have different meanings and are not interchangeable. So when to use one or another preposition? Let’s...
Most Irregular Passato Prossimo Verbs
As you know, the passato prossimo is formed with an auxiliary verb (essere or avere) + the past participle of the main verb. But some verbs, our “rebels,” have irregular past participles that we simply need to memorize. Common Irregular Passato Prossimo...
The If Clause (Periodo Ipotetico) in Italian
The If Clause in Italian The “if” clause in Italian, or the conditional clause, is used to express conditions and hypotheses. It consists of two main parts: the conditional clause introduced by “se” (if), and the main clause, which describes...
The Italian “Ne”: A Simple Guide
What is “Ne” in Italian? This small word ne is one of the most challenging (and fascinating) elements of the Italian language. While it’s just a tiny word, ne is a pronoun that serves multiple purposes in Italian. It can: Teacher’s tip: Because ne doesn’t have a...About
Ciao! I'm Serena, and I'm the creator of Smart Italian Learning. I am the head teacher of a small language school. We offer online, in-person and video courses for Italian learners, with a focus on adult English native speakers. Our courses are based on our passion for teaching and our experience as long-term adult language learners. You can meet us online, or in person in Rome.