As in English, there are many adverbial phrases (locuzioni avverbiali) in Italian. With this lesson, you will be introduced to some commonly used adverbial phrases, but be aware that this list is only suggestive and there are hundreds of locuzioni avverbiali - far too many to list here. Use adverbial phrases just as you would adverbs in placement and character.
Adverbial phrases are so-called because they are combinations of more than one word. Following are some categories of adverbial phrases you will encounter.
Adverbial phrases are so-called because they are combinations of more than one word. Following are some categories of adverbial phrases you will encounter.
- Preposition + verb phrase, noun, adjective, adverb, or expression
Il cane abbaiava all’impazzata.
The dog was barking like crazy.
Mi hanno licenziato perché arrivavo sempre in ritardo.
They fired me because I always arrived late.
Di sicuro non è un tipo che avrebbe fatto una cosa così orribile.
Surely he isn’t the type to have done something that horrible.
Volevamo tornare in Italia da sempre, ma non avevamo le risorse economiche fino ad ora.
We have always wanted to return to Italy, but we didn’t have the resources until now.
L'intervista al sindaco è stata in gran parte pubblicata su un quotidiano locale.
The interview with the mayor was largely published in a local newspaper.
È sparito in un batter d’occhio.
He disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Dobbiamo finire tutto in fretta e furia.
We need to finish everything in a rush.
Vittorio viaggia molto ed è sempre di corsa.
Vittorio travels a lot and is always in a hurry.
L’evaso è ormai in fuga da una settimana.
The fugitive has been on the run for a week now.