NOTES
(by DuoItalian)

The simple Italian gerund (gerundio) refers to the use of a verb in its “–ing” form and is composed as follows:

  • -ARE verbs add –ando to the stem. (parlre becomes parl-ando)
  • -ERE verbs add –endo to the stem. (vendere becomes vend-endo)
  • -IRE verbs add –endo to the stem. (dormire becomes  dorm-endo)

The gerund is used with the present tense of verb stare (to be, to stay) to form the present continuous:

  • Sto camminando verso il negozio. (I am walking to the store.)
  • Stai giocando a tennis? (Are you playing tennis?)
  • Giuseppe sta lavorando stasera. (Giuseppe is working tonight.)
  • La stiamo chiamando al telefono. (We are calling her on the phone.)
  • State tutti guardando il gioco? (Are you all watching the game?)
  • Le patate stanno cucendo. (The potatoes are cooking.)

TIP: The gerund for potere (to be able) can be slightly confusing, as it forms potendo (being able to) and rarely utilizes the verb stare.

  • Non potendo volare, ho guidato a Roma. (Not being able to fly, I drove to Rome.)

VOCABULARY
(from Duolingo)
dicendosaying
trovandofinding
dandogiving
pensandothinking
conoscendomeeting
parlandotalking
sapendoknowing
mettendoputting
prendendotaking
portandobringing
arrivandoarriving
chiedendoasking
credendobelieving
lavorandoworking
usandousing
chiamandocalling
morendodying
piacendoliking
guardandowatching
aprendoopening
essendobeing
avendohaving
potendobeing able
facendodoing
venendocoming
volendowanting
andandogoing
sentendohearing
tenendoholding
diventandobecoming
capendounderstanding
rimanendoremaining
passandopassing
entrandoentering
seguendofollowing
aspettandowaiting
decidendodeciding
scrivendowriting
finendofinishing
leggendoreading
unendouniting
cambiandochanging
offrendooffering
giocandoplaying
suonandoplaying (music)
perdendolosing
provandotrying
costruendobuilding
rispondendoresponding
indicandoindicating
succedendohappening
mangiandoeating
bevendodrinking
camminandowalking
nuotandoswimming
pagandopaying
dormendosleeping
cercandolooking
piovendoraining
correndorunning
cucinandocooking
studiandostudying
toccandotouching
tentandotrying
includendoincluding
preparandopreparing

 

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