Lesson 147: Verb Complements in Italian

Certain verbs in Italian can take certain kinds of complements depending upon the meaning of the verb. In Italian there are a host of different complements. In Italian, a complement can be noun phrases that is preceded by a preposition (such as prepositional phrases or indirect objects) or they can be direct objects that asks the question what or they can be adverbs. Complements typically convey a message that provide further information in a sentence, indicating to the speaker/reader the where, how, what, why, when, for whom, with whom, etc.

Remember that compliments can be linked to verbs, nouns, or adjectives. In the examples below, I have only provided examples for complements that are linked to verbs. Further posts will address noun and adjective complements as well as show further the differences. Remember that verb complements may or may not be noun or adjective complements.

Below is a list of common verb complements:

• che cosa?
  
  Asks what and is typically a direct object:
  
  Scrive una lettera.
  She is writing a letter.
  
  Che cosa scrive?
  What is she writing?
  
  Una lettera = direct object
  A letter
  
  
• con chi?
  
  Refers to the complement of company:
  
  Fanno lo shopping con Maria.
  They are shopping with Maria.
  
  con Maria = complement of company
  
  
• dove?
  
  Asks where which would elicit a complement of place -- such as someone's home, a place of business, a city, country, etc.
  
  Facciamo la festa da Fabio.
  We are having the party at Fabio's.
  
  Mangia in cucina.
  She is eating in the kitchen.
  
  Non mi piace fare la spesa a Roma.
  I don't like shopping in Rome.
  
  
• come?
  
  Illicits a complement of manner, in other words, the manner in which something is done (or not done, as the case may be):
  
  Va in macchina in città senza pensare.
  She drives in the city without thinking.
  
  
• quando?
  
  Refers to a complement of time, such as a specific time of the day on the clock or a more general time and unspecific time:
  
  Voglio che tu finisca i compiti prima di andare a letto.
  I want you to finish the homework before going to bed.
  
  Il programma comincia alle sei.
  The program begins at six.
  
  
• a chi?
  
  Asks to whom and is the indirect object. Remember that many verbs in Italian take indirect objects where they might otherwise not in English. Also take note that in Italian, the preposition, a and sometimes per, precedes the noun or proper noun. Indirect object pronouns are not preceded by a prepositions, but disjunctive pronouns are preceded by prepositions:
  
  Dico a Paolo.
  I am telling Paolo.
  
  Gli dico.
  I am telling him him.
  
  Dico a lui.
  I am telling him.
  
  Non credono a Marco.
  They don't believe Marco.
  
  Ha disubbidito ai suoi genitori.
  He disobeyed his parents.
  
  
• di chi, di che cosa or su cosa
  
  Asks the question about who or about what is considered a complement of topic.
  
  Scrivo di Shakespeare e le sue opere.
  I am writing about Shakespeare and his works.
  
  Le ragazze parlano di Giovanni.
  The girls are talking about Giovanni.
  
  Impara sulla cultura americana.
  She is learning about American culture.
  
  
• perché
  
  Asks 'why' and illicits a complement of cause or why someone does something:
  
  Legge la letteratura italiana per curiosità.
  She reads Italian literature out of curiosity.
  
  
• in che cosa?
  
  Is the complement of reference and asks in what:
  
  Mi laureo in matematica.
  I graduated from university with a degree in mathematics.
  

There are other complements in Italian -- I will add to this list periodically so please do not consider this list complete.