Let’s see what our Italian class is up to: today Professor Frison is going to introduce something new, the passive form. “No, no, passive form is too difficult!” says one student. Not so, says Professor Frison (aka Jane). She has a secret trick to make grammar rules stick: “When you want to learn something not so inviting like grammar” – she says – “use food in your examples, and you’ll see!” Enjoy!
Intermediate Level – Lesson Nr. 33
Jane and Maximo i’ve to tell you that this lesson is really the best lesson you gave me…i loved! You talked a lot in italian and everything is so cool. I’m brasilian and i’m going to Italy next week and i’m sure i’ll remember you a lot!
Baccione e grazie mille!
Buon Viaggio Silvana!
Grazie mille!
Dear Jane and Massimo,
Thank you so much for the podcasts they are really great! I have listened to each one multiple times.
I have a question about this “passive form” lesson. Using the la torta example… You translated the sentence as “The cake is made by me.” I’m just a little confused because I have never used an english expression like that, do you mean “the cake is BEING made by me” or the past tense “the cake WAS made by me.” For all three examples you used I couldn’t figure that out.
Also I am visiting a friend for her wedding in Italy this summer, I can’t wait to try out the italian I have learned from your podcasts, are there any pointers you can give in an upcoming podcast concerning true Italian weddings?
Grazie mille,
Carlo
Carlo, it does actually mean both “the cake is BEING made by me” and “the cake WAS made by me.”
If you were in the process of making the cake, then it would be “is BEING made”; if the action “making the cake” is past, then it would mean “WAS made”.
Buona Fortuna per il tuo viaggio in Italia – and about Italian weddings – that’s a great idea for a future episode: Jane, take note!
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