Grammar: Verbs - All Persons of the Verb

Grammar: Verbs - All Persons of the Verb

Regular Verbs in the Present Tense

• Italian verbs are divided into three conjugation groups based on their infinitive endings: -are (e.g. “mangiare” - “to eat”), -ere (e.g. “prendere” - “to take”) and -ire (e.g. “dormire” - “to sleep”).
• The conjugation for regular verbs in present tense follows certain pattern. Remove the infinitive ending (-are, -ere, -ire) and add appropriate endings according to the subject.

-ARE Verbs

• “Io” (I) form ends in -o (e.g. “mangio” - “I eat”).
• “Tu” (You, singular, informal) form ends in -i (e.g. “mangii” - “You eat”).
• “Lui/lei” (He/She) form and “Lei” (You, singular, formal) form end in -a (e.g. “mangia” - “He/She eats”).
• “Noi” (We) form ends in -iamo (e.g. “mangiiamo” - “We eat”).
• “Voi” (You, plural) form ends in -ate (e.g. “mangiate” - “You all eat”).
• “Loro” (They) form ends in -ano (e.g. “mangiano” - “They eat”).

-ERE Verbs

• “Io” form ends in -o (e.g. “prendo” - “I take”).
• “Tu” form ends in -i (e.g. “prendi” - “You take”).
• “Lui/lei” and “Lei” forms end in -e (e.g. “prende” - “He/She takes”).
• “Noi” form ends in -iamo (e.g. “prendiamo” - “We take”).
• “Voi” form ends in -ete (e.g. “prendete” - “You all take”).
• “Loro” form ends in -ono (e.g. “prendono” - “They take”).

-IRE Verbs

• “Io” form ends in -o (e.g. “dormo” - “I sleep”).
• “Tu” form ends in -i (e.g. “dormi” - “You sleep”).
• “Lui/lei” and “Lei” forms end in -e (e.g. “dorme” - “He/She sleeps”).
• “Noi” form ends in -iamo (e.g. “dormiamo” - “We sleep”).
• “Voi” form ends in -ite (e.g. “dormite” - “You all sleep”).
• “Loro” form ends in -ono (e.g. “dormono” - “They sleep”).

Important Notes

• There are many exceptions, and these irregular verbs must be memorized.
• For example, “andare” (to go) is conjugated as “vado”, “vai”, “va”, “andiamo”, “andate”, “vanno”.
• Be careful with verb agreement. The verb form must match its corresponding subject in person (first, second, third) and number (singular, plural).