Italian Sentence Structure: A Complete Lesson with Examples
Here's a comprehensive lesson on Italian sentence structure, designed for learners at an A2-B1 level. It includes clear explanations and plenty of examples to help you understand and practice.
Italian sentence structure is generally Subject - Verb - Object (SVO), just like in English. However, Italian is a flexible language, and word order can change for emphasis or style. Let’s explore the basic structure and the most common patterns.
1. Basic Sentence Structure: SVO
The most typical Italian sentence has:
S = Subject (who is doing the action)
V = Verb (the action)
O = Object (who or what receives the action)
🧾 Structure:
[Subject] + [Verb] + [Object]
✅ Examples:
Maria mangia una mela.
Maria eats an apple.Luca guarda la televisione.
Luca watches television.Io leggo un libro.
I read a book.
2. Omitting the Subject
In Italian, the subject is often dropped because the verb ending already shows who is doing the action.
✅ Examples:
Mangio una mela.
I eat an apple. → The subject "io" is understood.Guarda la TV.
He/She is watching TV. → The subject "lui/lei" is understood from the verb.
3. Negation
To make a sentence negative, simply add "non" before the verb.
🧾 Structure:
[Subject] + "non" + [Verb] + [Object]
✅ Examples:
Io non mangio carne.
I don’t eat meat.Non parli inglese?
Don’t you speak English?Loro non capiscono la lezione.
They don’t understand the lesson.
4. Questions
Italian questions can be formed in different ways:
🟢 a. Using intonation only (informal)
Just say the statement with a rising tone.
Hai fame?
Are you hungry?Vieni con noi?
Are you coming with us?
🟢 b. Using question words (come, cosa, dove, etc.)
Chi è lui? → Who is he?
Cosa fai? → What are you doing?
Dove abiti? → Where do you live?
Quando arrivi? → When do you arrive?
Perché studi italiano? → Why do you study Italian?
Come stai? → How are you?
5. Adjective Position
In Italian, adjectives usually come after the noun, unlike in English.
✅ Examples:
Una macchina rossa.
A red car.Un ragazzo intelligente.
A smart boy.
However, some adjectives can come before the noun, especially if they express size, beauty, age, or quantity.
Una bella giornata.
A beautiful day.Tre grandi città.
Three big cities.
6. Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns
When using object pronouns, they usually come before the verb.
✅ Examples:
Lo vedo.
I see him/it.Ti scrivo domani.
I will write to you tomorrow.Ci chiamano spesso.
They call us often.
7. Reflexive Verbs
Reflexive verbs use reflexive pronouns and often describe daily activities.
🧾 Structure:
[Reflexive pronoun] + [verb]
✅ Examples:
Mi sveglio alle 7.
I wake up at 7.Ti lavi le mani.
You wash your hands.Ci vestiamo in fretta.
We get dressed quickly.
8. Prepositional Phrases
Italian often uses prepositions + article to form common phrases.
✅ Examples:
Vado al cinema.
(a + il = al) → I’m going to the cinema.La penna è sul tavolo.
(su + il = sul) → The pen is on the table.Parliamo dell’esame.
(di + l’ = dell’) → We are talking about the exam.
9. Complex Sentences (with "che")
To combine two sentences, use "che" (that/who).
✅ Examples:
Conosco una ragazza che parla tre lingue.
I know a girl who speaks three languages.Voglio un libro che sia interessante.
I want a book that is interesting.
📚 Practice Sentences
Try translating these into Italian:
I’m reading a book.
She doesn’t understand the question.
Where do you live?
We get up at 7.
They go to the park every Sunday.
You can write your answers in the comments. I’ll check and correct them for you! ✅