Expressions with Infinitive

Introduction

The infinitive is one of the most versatile verb forms in Italian. At B2 level, mastering infinitive constructions means knowing not only when to use the infinitive instead of a conjugated verb, but also which preposition — if any — connects it to the preceding element. The core principle: when the subject of a subordinate action is the same as the subject of the main verb, Italian typically uses an infinitive construction rather than a full subordinate clause with a conjugated verb.

Infinitive as Subject or Object

The infinitive can function as the grammatical subject or object of a sentence, much like a noun. As a subject, it can appear with or without the definite article 'il': 'Studiare è importante' / 'Lo studiare è importante' ('Studying is important'). As an object, it typically follows the main verb directly: 'Preferisco restare a casa' ('I prefer to stay home'). Some verbs take the infinitive as a direct object without any preposition (volere, dovere, potere, sapere, osare, preferire, amare, detestare).

Infinitive after 'di'

The preposition 'di' introduces an infinitive clause when the subject of both verbs is the same, especially after verbs of saying, thinking, fearing, hoping, promising, and many others. Key verbs followed by 'di + infinitive': decidere, sperare, pensare, credere, temere, promettere, dimenticare, evitare, smettere, finire, provare, rifiutarsi, vergognarsi, avere paura, avere voglia, avere intenzione, avere il coraggio. Example: 'Ho deciso di partire domani' ('I decided to leave tomorrow').

Infinitive after 'a'

The preposition 'a' is used after many verbs that indicate beginning, continuing, succeeding, getting used to, committing, or motion towards a goal. Key verbs followed by 'a + infinitive': cominciare, iniziare, continuare, mettersi, riuscire, abituarsi, impegnarsi, prepararsi, decidersi, convincere, aiutare, insegnare, costringere, invitare, fermarsi. Example: 'Ha cominciato a piovere' ('It started raining'). Also used after 'primo/a', 'unico/a', 'ultimo/a': 'Sei il primo a capire' ('You are the first to understand').

Infinitive after 'da'

The preposition 'da' before an infinitive expresses a passive meaning, suitability, or obligation — it signals that an action is to be performed by someone unspecified. It most commonly appears after adjectives or nouns: 'un libro da leggere' ('a book to be read'), 'è difficile da capire' ('it is difficult to understand'). Note the contrast: 'è difficile capire' (general impersonal) vs. 'è difficile da capire' (passive — difficult for someone to understand).

Infinitive after 'per'

The preposition 'per' before an infinitive always expresses purpose or reason: 'Sono venuto per aiutarti' ('I came to help you'). It answers the question 'Why?' or 'What for?' It can also express a condition or cause in formal or literary language: 'È stato punito per aver mentito' ('He was punished for having lied'). Note: after 'per', the past infinitive is common when the reason refers to a past action.

Past Infinitive: dopo aver fatto / dopo essere andato

When an action preceded the main verb in time, Italian uses the past infinitive (infinito passato) formed by avere/essere + past participle. The rule for auxiliary selection mirrors the passato prossimo: verbs that take 'avere' in the passato prossimo use 'avere' in the past infinitive; verbs that take 'essere' use 'essere' and the participle agrees with the subject. The past infinitive is mandatory after 'dopo': 'Dopo aver mangiato, ha fatto una passeggiata' ('After eating/having eaten, he went for a walk'). For reflexive verbs: 'Dopo essersi lavata, è uscita' ('After washing herself, she went out').

senza + Infinitive / prima di + Infinitive

'Senza + infinitive' means 'without doing something': 'È partito senza salutare' ('He left without saying goodbye'). The simple infinitive is most common; the past infinitive ('senza aver detto') emphasises that the action did not occur before the main event. 'Prima di + infinitive' means 'before doing something': 'Prima di firmare, leggi il contratto' ('Before signing, read the contract'). Unlike 'dopo', which requires the past infinitive, 'prima di' always uses the simple infinitive.

Impersonal Expressions + Infinitive

Impersonal expressions ('è + adjective') followed by an infinitive make general statements about activities or situations. The infinitive is always bare (no preposition) in true impersonal constructions: 'È importante studiare', 'È possibile sbagliare', 'È difficile cambiare abitudini'. When the same adjective is followed by 'da + infinitive', the meaning shifts to a passive/qualitative evaluation of a specific thing: 'Questo esercizio è difficile da fare' ('This exercise is difficult to do'). Knowing this contrast is essential at B2.

Causative 'fare' + Infinitive

The causative construction 'fare + infinitive' expresses that the subject causes or allows someone else to perform an action. The infinitive is always bare — no preposition between 'fare' and the infinitive. The person who performs the action is either the direct object (if the infinitive is intransitive) or the indirect object (if it is transitive): 'Ho fatto cantare Maria' ('I had Maria sing'); 'Ho fatto cantare una canzone a Maria' ('I had Maria sing a song'). The same structure applies to 'lasciare + infinitive' (permissive): 'L'ho lasciata parlare' ('I let her speak').

Verbs of Perception + Infinitive

Verbs of perception (vedere, sentire, ascoltare, osservare, guardare) take a bare infinitive. The infinitive describes what is perceived: 'Ho visto entrare un uomo strano' ('I saw a strange man enter'). An alternative construction uses the gerund: 'Ho visto un uomo che entrava' / 'Ho visto un uomo entrare'. The infinitive is preferred when the action is perceived as a complete event; the gerund emphasises the action as ongoing. Note: when the object of 'vedere/sentire' is a pronoun, it precedes the verb: 'L'ho vista piangere' ('I saw her crying').

stare per + Infinitive

'Stare per + infinitive' expresses an action that is on the verge of happening (immediate future or imminent action): 'Sta per piovere' ('It is about to rain'); 'Stavo per chiamarti' ('I was about to call you'). This construction is very common in both spoken and written Italian and can be used in any tense of 'stare.'

• Ho deciso di cercare un nuovo lavoro. — I decided to look for a new job. [decidere di]
• È importante ascoltare prima di rispondere. — It is important to listen before responding. [impersonal + bare infinitive; prima di]
• Dopo aver lavorato tutta la notte, si sentiva esausto. — After working all night, he felt exhausted. [dopo + past infinitive with avere]
• Dopo essere arrivati a Roma, siamo andati subito al museo. — After arriving in Rome, we went straight to the museum. [dopo + past infinitive with essere]
• Ha fatto consegnare il pacco prima delle dieci. — She had the package delivered before ten. [causative fare + bare infinitive]
• Ho sentito suonare il campanello tre volte. — I heard the doorbell ring three times. [perception verb + bare infinitive]
• Senza pianificare per tempo, è impossibile organizzare un evento del genere. — Without planning ahead, it is impossible to organise such an event. [senza + bare infinitive]
• Questa è una proposta da valutare con attenzione. — This is a proposal to be evaluated carefully. [da + infinitive with passive meaning]
• Stavo per chiamarti quando è arrivata la tua email. — I was about to call you when your email arrived. [stare per + infinitive]
• Era il primo a capire il problema e l'unica a proporre una soluzione. — He was the first to understand the problem and she was the only one to propose a solution. [primo/unico + a + infinitive]