B1 Italian GrammarInfinitive vs Gerund
Master the use of infinitives and gerunds (gerundio) in Italian. Learn when to use the infinitive after prepositions and verbs, and when to use the gerund for ongoing actions. Understand the differences between Italian and English usage of these verb forms.
1Infinitive After Prepositions
Unlike English, Italian uses the infinitive (not the gerund) after prepositions. Common preposition + infinitive combinations: di + infinitive, a + infinitive, per + infinitive, prima di + infinitive, dopo + past infinitive, senza + infinitive.
Preposition + Infinitive
| Italian | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| prima di partire | before leaving | NOT prima di partendo |
| dopo aver mangiato | after eating/having eaten | past infinitive |
| senza parlare | without speaking | NOT senza parlando |
| invece di lavorare | instead of working | NOT invece di lavorando |
Examples
Prima di uscire, ho chiuso le finestre.
Before leaving, I closed the windows.
prima di + infinitive
Dopo aver cenato, siamo andati al cinema.
After having dinner, we went to the cinema.
dopo + past infinitive
È partito senza salutare nessuno.
He left without saying goodbye to anyone.
senza + infinitive
Invece di studiare, ha guardato la TV.
Instead of studying, he watched TV.
invece di + infinitive
2Infinitive After Verbs
Many Italian verbs take a direct infinitive or connect with di/a + infinitive. Modal verbs (potere, volere, dovere) take direct infinitive. Some verbs use 'di': decidere di, finire di, smettere di. Others use 'a': cominciare a, imparare a, riuscire a.
Verb + Infinitive Patterns
| Pattern | Verbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| direct | potere, volere, dovere | Voglio partire. |
| verb + di | decidere, finire, sperare | Ho deciso di partire. |
| verb + a | cominciare, imparare, riuscire | Comincio a capire. |
| verb + a | andare, venire | Vado a mangiare. |
Examples
Devo finire di lavorare alle sei.
I have to finish working at six.
finire di + infinitive
Ha cominciato a piovere.
It started raining.
cominciare a + infinitive
Non riesco a dormire.
I can't manage to sleep.
riuscire a + infinitive
Spero di vederti presto.
I hope to see you soon.
sperare di + infinitive
3The Italian Gerund (Gerundio)
The Italian gerund is formed by adding -ando (for -are verbs) or -endo (for -ere/-ire verbs). It's used for simultaneous or ongoing actions, NOT after prepositions. Often used with stare to form progressive tenses: sto mangiando (I am eating).
Gerund Formation
| Conjugation | Verb | Gerund |
|---|---|---|
| -are | parlare | parlando |
| -ere | credere | credendo |
| -ire | partire | partendo |
| irregular | fare | facendo |
| irregular | dire | dicendo |
| irregular | bere | bevendo |
Examples
Sto studiando italiano.
I am studying Italian.
stare + gerund = progressive
Camminando, ho visto un gatto.
While walking, I saw a cat.
Gerund for simultaneous action
Stava dormendo quando ho chiamato.
He was sleeping when I called.
stare (impf.) + gerund
Parlando con lei, ho capito tutto.
By talking to her, I understood everything.
Gerund for manner/means
4Gerund vs Infinitive: Key Differences
Use the gerund for actions happening at the same time as the main verb or to express manner. Use infinitive after prepositions and after specific verbs. The gerund never follows prepositions in Italian. English -ing often becomes Italian infinitive.
Gerund vs Infinitive
| Context | Italian Form | English |
|---|---|---|
| after preposition | prima di mangiare | before eating |
| progressive | sto mangiando | I am eating |
| simultaneous | Mangiando, leggo. | While eating, I read. |
| after verb | Mi piace mangiare. | I like eating. |
Examples
Mi piace nuotare. / Sto nuotando.
I like swimming. / I am swimming.
Infinitive vs gerund
Guardando il film, mi sono addormentato.
While watching the movie, I fell asleep.
Gerund for simultaneous actions
Dopo aver letto il libro, l'ho restituito.
After reading the book, I returned it.
dopo + past infinitive (NOT gerund)
Studiando ogni giorno, imparerai velocemente.
By studying every day, you will learn quickly.
Gerund for means/manner