Learn how to use indirect speech with the passato prossimo in Italian by following the formula: verb + che + passato prossimo, such as in "Marco dice che è stato al mercato" and "Fabio dice che ha rifiutato l'offerta." This lesson focuses on reporting past actions accurately.
  1. The formula is: verb + "che" + passato prossimo.
Azione passata (Past action)Frase indiretta (Indirect sentence)
Marco dice: "Sono stato al mercato." (Marco says, "I have been to the market.")Marco dice che è stato al mercato. (Marco says that he has been to the market.)
Giulia pensa: "Ha convinto tutti." (Giulia thinks: "You have convinced everyone.")Giulia pensa che hai convinto tutti. (Giulia thinks that you have convinced everyone.)
Fabio dice: "Ho rifiutato l'offerta." (Fabio says, "I refused the offer.")Fabio dice che ha rifiutato l'offerta. (Fabio says that he has refused the offer.)
Paolo e Maria dicono: "Abbiamo fatto un compromesso." (Paolo and Maria say, "We have made a compromise.")Paolo e Maria dicono che hanno fatto un compromesso. (Paolo and Maria say that have made a compromise.)

Exercise 1: Il discorso indiretto con il passato prossimo

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

dice che ha avuto, dice che è stata, dice che ha ottenuto, dice che ha visto, affermano che hanno fatto, dice che ha rifiutato, dice che è stato, pensa che hai convinto

1. Dire che + vedere:
Giulia: ho visto il risultato. Giulia ... il risultato.
(Giulia: I saw the result. Giulia says that she has seen the result.)
2. Dire che + ottenere:
Il gruppo: abbiamo ottenuto un buon compromesso. Il gruppo ... un buon compromesso.
(The group: we have reached a good compromise. The group says that it has reached a good compromise.)
3. Dire che + avere:
Maria: ho avuto una bella idea. Maria ... una bella idea.
(Maria: I had a great idea. Maria says that she had a great idea.)
4. Dire che + essere:
Giulio: è stata una lunga discussione. Giulio ... una lunga discussione.
(Giulio: it was a long discussion. Giulio says that it was a long discussion.)
5. Dire che + rifiutare:
Marco: ho rifiutato la proposta. Marco ... la proposta.
(Marco: I refused the proposal. Marco says that he refused the proposal.)
6. Affermare che + fare:
Giulio e Maria: abbiamo fatto una controfferta! Giulio e Maria ... una controfferta.
(Giulio and Maria: we have made a counteroffer! Giulio and Maria state that they have made a counteroffer.)
7. Pensare che + convincere:
Maria: ha convinto tutti. Maria ... tutti con la tua offerta.
(Maria: she convinced everyone. Maria thinks that you convinced everyone with your offer.)
8. Dire che + essere:
Marco: è stato un buon discorso. Marco ... un buon discorso.
(Marco: it was a good speech. Marco says that it was a good speech.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence using indirect speech with the present perfect to express opinions or report past information.

1.
Error: the imperfect was used instead of the present perfect, which is required in the construction.
Although grammatically correct, the addition of 'yesterday' is superfluous for this focused exercise.
2.
Common error: use of the second person singular 'you have' instead of the third person singular 'she has'.
Error: the auxiliary verb 'has' is missing, which is essential for the present perfect.
3.
Error: use of the infinitive 'to refuse' instead of the past participle 'refused'.
Error: 'refusal' is a noun or the first person singular present, not the past participle.
4.
Error: use of the infinitive 'make' instead of the past participle 'made'.
Error: use of the second person plural 'you have' instead of the third person plural 'they have'.

Understanding Indirect Speech with the Passato Prossimo

This lesson focuses on how to report past events or statements in Italian using indirect speech with the passato prossimo tense. It is ideal for A2-level learners who already know the basics of past tenses and want to practice expressing past actions reported by someone else.

What You Will Learn

  • Formation of indirect speech with passato prossimo: Combine a reporting verb + "che" + the passato prossimo form of the verb.
  • Recognizing passato prossimo in indirect sentences: Past actions are communicated by transforming a direct statement into indirect speech, keeping the tense of the original action.
  • Common verbs used for reporting: verbs like dire (to say), pensare (to think) followed by "che" plus passato prossimo.

Examples to Remember

  • Marco dice: "Sono stato al mercato." → Marco dice che è stato al mercato.
  • Giulia pensa: "Ha convinto tutti." → Giulia pensa che ha convinto tutti.
  • Fabio dice: "Ho rifiutato l'offerta." → Fabio dice che ha rifiutato l'offerta.
  • Paolo e Maria dicono: "Abbiamo fatto un compromesso." → Paolo e Maria dicono che hanno fatto un compromesso.

Key Points to Note

  • The reporting verb is followed by "che" which means "that."
  • The passato prossimo remains the same in indirect speech to reflect the action happened in the past.
  • The auxiliary verbs essere or avere are used appropriately within the passato prossimo forms.

Differences Between English and Italian Reporting of Past Events

In English, indirect speech for past events often involves a backshift in tense (e.g., "He said he had been to the market") while in Italian, the passato prossimo remains the same (dice che è stato). Also, the auxiliary verbs essere and avere are vital in forming the passato prossimo, unlike the simpler English past perfect.

Useful words and phrases:

  • Dire che... - To say that...
  • Pensare che... - To think that...
  • Passato Prossimo - Present perfect or simple past used to indicate actions completed in the past.
  • Essere stato/a - Have been
  • Avere fatto - Have done

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Fabio Pirioni

Bachelor in Humanities

University of Udine

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 28/08/2025 18:36