Grammar – Italian A1

Italian grammar - level A1

Grammar is a side dish, not the main course.

Grammar is important, but it’s not a priority for beginners as its function is to hold all the other parts together. Avoid discouragement by taking it easy and viewing grammar as a means to an end.
We learn as we go, make mistakes along the way and try to keep a relaxed approach. This makes learning language fun and keeps the stress under control.

Which grammar do I need to know?

You don’t have to know it all, because it will never end: after you master an element, another one will pop up, a new irregular verb, some hidden exceptions. This can be depressing and frustrating for an early stage learner.

Here's a list of grammar items to narrow down the rules you have to know.

Italian A1 - grammar items

definite and indefinite articles
gender and number of regular nouns qualifying adjectives (ending in –o/-e) noun/adjective agreement
qualifying adjectives (ending in –o/-e)
noun/adjective agreement
c’è / ci sono (there is/there are) cf. è / sono (he/she/it is/ they are)
personal subject and reflexive pronouns
conjugation of auxiliary verbs essere and avere, of regular verbs in the present indicative, of reflexive verbs and certain irregular ones (andare, venire, uscire, sapere, fare, dire, dare)
simple negative forms
present indicative of the following modal verbs: potere, dovere and volere
present progressive: stare + gerundio
main adverbs: of time (prima, poi, già, ora/adesso, sempre, mai, oggi, domani, ieri)
conjugation of regular verbs and certain irregular ones in the Passato prossimo
introduction to the use of simple prepositions (a, di, da, in, per,con …) and prepositional articles
interrogative clauses (introduced by chi, come, dove, quando perché, che cosa…)