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You are here: Experts > Homework Help > Italian Language > Italian Language > nouns
Expert: Maria - 11/2/2009
Question
Dear Maria,
My question is about the use of auxiliary words with nouns. In order to test my understanding, can you please tell me if the following is correct or not.
Most Italian nouns have a specific gender and number. These nouns can only be grammatically masculine or grammatically feminine and only grammatically singular or grammatically plural in number.
Auxiliary words (verbs, adjectives, and articles) used with such nouns must grammatically agree in gender and number with the noun.
For example:
“verdura” is a grammatical feminine, singular noun that can be used for both singular and plural. But, even though this noun can be used for the plural, all the auxiliary words used with “verdura” must be grammatically feminine and singular. This is because “verdura” is grammatically feminine and singular. For example: “La verdura” can mean “the vegetable” or “the vegetables”.
“uova” is a grammatical feminine, plural noun. Therefore, all auxiliary words used with “uova” must also be grammatically feminine and plural. For example: “le uova” means “the eggs”.
Some Italian nouns can be either grammatically masculine or grammatically feminine.
With these nouns, the auxiliary words (verbs, adjectives, and articles) must be chosen so as to identify the gender of the noun.
For example:
“cantante” is a grammatical singular noun that can be either masculine or feminine in gender. The auxiliary words used with “cantante” must be chosen so as to correctly identify the gender of this noun. Therefore, “il cantante” would mean “the male singer” and “la cantante” would mean “the female singer”.
Thank you very much. I really appreciate your help.
Sincerely,
Rich
Answer
Dear Rich,
First of all, Italian adjectives, verbs and articles must always agree in gender and number with the noun they refer to.
With regard to the feminine noun “verdura”/”la verdura”, it can have also the plural, i.e. “verdure”/”le verdure”, and therefore the verbs, adjectives, and articles must grammatically agree with this noun.
For example:
-“Queste verdure non sono cotte “( these vegetables are not cooked)
-“Il cavolfiore è l'unica verdura che non mi piace”( cauliflower is the only vegetable I don’t like)
Also, the word “uova” /”le uova” (the eggs) is a feminine plural noun used as the plural of the masculine singular noun “uovo”/”l’uovo”.
Therefore, all auxiliary words used with “uova” must also be grammatically feminine and plural, but all auxiliary words used with “uovo” must also be grammatically masculine and singular.
For example:
-“Le uova mi piacciono molto” (I like the eggs very much)
-“Le uova sode erano buone” (Hard-boiled eggs were delicious)
-“Sul tavolo c’era un grande uovo di Pasqua” (A big Easter egg was on the table)
Finally, with regard to some Italian nouns that can be either grammatically masculine or grammatically feminine, the auxiliary words (verbs, adjectives, and articles) must be chosen so as to identify the gender of the noun, just as you say.
For example, since “cantante” is a grammatical singular noun that can be either masculine or feminine in gender, the auxiliary words used with “cantante” must be chosen so as to correctly identify the gender of this noun and therefore “il cantante” would mean “the male singer” and “la cantante” would mean “the female singer”, of course.
Best regards,
Maria
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