Advice, commands and simple conditions
For simple advice and instructions, Italian often uses the imperative: , , . With politeness, common forms are chunks such as , , , .
Use for something that started in the past and is still true: Use for a finished duration or a planned time:
A basic condition uses + present: This is very common and useful at A1 level.
For negative advice with , Italian often uses + infinitive: You already know this from simple rules and prohibitions.
| Form | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Open! | ||
| Open! | ||
| Come in, sit down. (polite) | ||
| Come in, sit down. (polite) | ||
| for/since until now | ||
| for/since until now | ||
| + present | if + present | |
| if + present | ||
Apri la bocca.Open your mouth.
Signora, entri pure.Madam, come in.
Sto a letto da lunedì.I have been in bed since Monday.
Dormo per due ore e poi lavoro.I sleep for two hours and then I work.
Se hai mal di testa, bevi acqua.If you have a headache, drink water.
Non mangiare torta adesso.Don't eat cake now.
Chiama il dottore oggi.Call the doctor today.
Se sei stanco, dormi.If you are tired, sleep.
Se sei stanca, dormi.If you are tired, sleep.
Practice 1/6 · Finding words
Notice the useful pattern
Tap the form practised in this unit.
.
Open your mouth.
, .
Madam, come in.
.
I have been in bed since Monday.
.
I sleep for two hours and then I work.
Practice 2/6 · The right form
Choose the form
Use the English meaning and the pattern in this unit.
la bocca.
Open your mouth.
Signora, pure.
Madam, come in.
Sto a letto lunedì.
I have been in bed since Monday.
Dormo due ore e poi lavoro.
I sleep for two hours and then I work.
hai mal di testa, bevi acqua.
If you have a headache, drink water.
torta adesso.
Don't eat cake now.
il dottore oggi.
Call the doctor today.
Se sei , dormi.
If you are tired, sleep.
Se sei , dormi.
If you are tired, sleep.
Practice 3/6 · Fill the gaps
Complete the messages
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
Sto a letto lunedì.
I have been in bed since Monday.
Dormo due ore e poi lavoro.
I sleep for two hours and then I work.
hai mal di testa, bevi acqua.
If you have a headache, drink water.
torta adesso.
Don't eat cake now.
il dottore oggi.
Call the doctor today.
Se sei , dormi.
If you are tired, sleep.
Se sei , dormi.
If you are tired, sleep.
Practice 4/6 · Building sentences
Build a sentence
Put the words in order.
Open your mouth.
Madam, come in.
I have been in bed since Monday.
I sleep for two hours and then I work.
If you have a headache, drink water.
Don't eat cake now.
Practice 5/6 · In situations
What would you say?
Choose the right words for the situation.
Open your mouth.
You say:
Use the meaning and Italian pattern explained in this unit.
Open your mouth.
You say:
Use the meaning and Italian pattern explained in this unit.
Madam, come in.
You say:
Use the meaning and Italian pattern explained in this unit.
Madam, come in.
You say:
Use the meaning and Italian pattern explained in this unit.
I have been in bed since Monday.
You say:
Use the meaning and Italian pattern explained in this unit.
I have been in bed since Monday.
You say:
Use the meaning and Italian pattern explained in this unit.
I sleep for two hours and then I work.
You say:
Use the meaning and Italian pattern explained in this unit.
I sleep for two hours and then I work.
You say:
Use the meaning and Italian pattern explained in this unit.
Practice 6/6 · Matching
Connect messages and meanings
Match the pairs.
Unit complete
