IL GERUNDIO

This is equivalent to the English present participle — i.e. the part of the verb ending in -ing, like thinking, running, talking, going etc.

The table below will show you how the gerundio is made from the present infinitive:

N.B. The gerundio is invariable; it does not behave like an adjective. For example:

1. Sandra fell while skiing = Sandra è caduta sciando
2. Seeing him, the others went away = Vedendolo, gli altri sono andati via.

Notice in the last example in Italian the gerundio “vedendolo”. The “lo” is the pronoun 'him' and it illustrates a rule with the gerundio, that pronouns are attached to the end of it to make one word, they are not put in front of it as happens with the ordinary tenses of the verb.

STRUCTURE: This part of the verb creates a present and past continuous tense when the verb “stare” is used as the auxiliary. For example:

1. I am thinking = sto pensando.
2. She is crying = sta piangendo.
3. They were waiting = stavano aspettando.
4. We were watching TV = stavamo guardando la TV.

Exercise 1. Translate these sentences into English:

1. Cosa stai facendo?
2. Sto leggendo il giornale.
3. Stanno preparando l'insalata.
4. Stavo ascoltando la radio quando il telefono ha squillato.
5. I ragazzi stavano vestendosi.

To check your answers click here.

Exercise 2. Translate these sentences into Italian:

1. I am writing a letter.
2. She is waiting for a phone call.
3. I was watching a football match.
4. He was doing something.
5. The girls were sleeping.

To check your answers click here.