Impersonal Verbs

In Italian, impersonal verbs are used to express general statements or opinions without specifying a subject. They are often accompanied by the pronoun "si" to indicate an unspecified or indefinite subject. Understanding how to use impersonal verbs can help you convey information in a more general or objective manner.

1. Using Impersonal Verbs

Impersonal verbs are commonly used in the third person singular form and can be followed by a verb in the infinitive form or by a subordinate clause. Here are some examples of commonly used Italian impersonal verbs:

• "Si dice che" - It is said that
• "Si sa che" - It is known that
• "Si pensa che" - It is believed that
• "Si spera che" - It is hoped that
• "Si può" - One can
• "Si deve" - One must

For example:

• Si dice che il film sia bellissimo. (It is said that the movie is beautiful.)
• Si sa che l'esame sarà difficile. (It is known that the exam will be difficult.)
• Si pensa che il concerto sarà spettacolare. (It is believed that the concert will be spectacular.)
• Si può imparare a suonare uno strumento. (One can learn to play a musical instrument.)
• Si deve rispettare l'ambiente. (One must respect the environment.)

2. Agreement with Impersonal Verbs

When using impersonal verbs, the verb agrees in gender and number with the subject of the sentence. Since impersonal verbs have an unspecified subject, they are typically conjugated in the third person singular form. However, when the subject of the sentence is specified, the verb should agree with it.

For example:

• Si dice che il film sia bellissimo. (Singular subject)
• Si dice che i film siano bellissimi. (Plural subject)

3. Expressing Opinions with Impersonal Verbs

Impersonal verbs can also be used to express personal opinions without explicitly stating "I" or "you". This allows for a more general perspective. Here are some examples:

• "A me sembra che" - It seems to me that
• "A lui/lei sembra che" - It seems to him/her that
• "A noi sembra che" - It seems to us that
• "A voi sembra che" - It seems to you (plural) that
• "A loro sembra che" - It seems to them that

For example:

• A me sembra che sia una buona idea. (It seems to me that it's a good idea.)
• A lui sembra che sia troppo caro. (It seems to him that it's too expensive.)
• A noi sembra che sia difficile da fare. (It seems to us that it's difficult to do.)

4. Common Impersonal Verbs

Here is a list of common impersonal verbs in Italian:

• Dire (to say)
• Sapere (to know)
• Pensare (to think)
• Credere (to believe)
• Sperare (to hope)
• Potere (to be able to)
• Dovere (to have to)

Remember that these verbs are often used with the pronoun "si" to indicate an impersonal construction.

Conclusion

Impersonal verbs are a valuable tool in Italian for expressing general statements or opinions without explicitly specifying the subject. By understanding how to use impersonal verbs, you can add more nuance and objectivity to your language.