when a verb in its 'agreed form' is present and a second verb in the infinitive form comes soon after it, it seems to me from hearing some italian Cds of mine that some times the word 'di' or maybe 'Da' ( i cant quite make it out!) appears before the infinitive and sometimes not:confused: but both translate the same.... so my question is under what circumsatnces do you use di/da before an infinitve?
thanks
I am also learning Italian and have been trying to find a rule to help. I don't think that there is a precise rule, but I think I have worked out a guide that is mostly right. Some infinitives are preceded by "a" or "di" and I cannot see that the addition of these prepositions adds any meaning to the verb. There are lists of these verbs and they have to be learnt individually. However, when a verb is preceded by "da" it usually implies some kind of obligation or a sense of possibility.
e.g.
[COLOR="Navy"]Cosa c'e' da mangiare? [/COLOR] What is there to eat? (What is there that I can eat?)
no added implication in [COLOR="Red"]Sto pensando di andare a mangiare - I am thinking about going to eat[/COLOR]
[COLOR="Navy"]Ho molto da fare.[/COLOR] I have a lot to do. (I have a lot that I must do)
no added implication in [COLOR="Red"]E' venuto a farlo - He came to do it[/COLOR]
[COLOR="navy"]Ci sono molte cose da vedere.[/COLOR] There are many things to see (There are many things that you can/must see)
no added implication in [COLOR="Red"]Ha dimenticato di vedere la vista - He forgot to see the view[/COLOR] However.....Ha dimenticato che c'era una vista da vedere - He forgot that there was a view to see.
If anyone can add to this I would be very grateful!
I am also learning Italian and have been trying to find a rule to help. I don't think that there is a precise rule, but I think I have worked out a guide that is mostly right. Some infinitives are preceded by "a" or "di" and I cannot see that the addition of these prepositions adds any meaning to the verb. There are lists of these verbs and they have to be learnt individually. However, when a verb is preceded by "da" it usually implies some kind of obligation or a sense of possibility.
e.g.
[COLOR="Navy"]Cosa c'e' da mangiare? [/COLOR] What is there to eat? (What is there that I can eat?)
no added implication in [COLOR="Red"]Sto pensando di andare a mangiare - I am thinking about going to eat[/COLOR]
[COLOR="Navy"]Ho molto da fare.[/COLOR] I have a lot to do. (I have a lot that I must do)
no added implication in [COLOR="Red"]E' venuto a farlo - He came to do it[/COLOR]
[COLOR="navy"]Ci sono molte cose da vedere.[/COLOR] There are many things to see (There are many things that you can/must see)
no added implication in [COLOR="Red"]Ha dimenticato di vedere la vista - He forgot to see the view[/COLOR] However.....Ha dimenticato che c'era una vista da vedere - He forgot that there was a view to see.
If anyone can add to this I would be very grateful!