In this article, we\u2019ll look at how verb + preposition + verb combinations<\/strong> work in Italian, explain the logic behind them, and give you clear examples and practical guidelines to help you avoid the most common mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Italian, many verbs require a specific preposition before an infinitive. This is not a stylistic choice\u2014it\u2019s a grammatical rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saying cominciare fare<\/em> or smettere fumare<\/em> is incorrect. Italian requires: continuare a <\/strong>fare <\/em>and smettere di <\/strong>fumare<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The good news is that these prepositions are rarely arbitrary. In most cases, they reflect a clear semantic logic: beginning or continuing an action, ending it, expressing intention, obligation, necessity, or evaluation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you start recognizing these patterns, memorising them becomes much easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The preposition a <\/em><\/strong>commonly follows verbs that mark the start or continuation of an action, describe behaviour or habits, or indicate physical movement toward doing something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the verb indicates that an action begins or continues, a <\/em><\/strong>is almost always used. This applies to verbs such as cominciare, iniziare, mettersi,<\/em> and continuare<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Adesso comincio<\/strong> a essere <\/strong>stanca. A <\/em><\/strong>also appears after many common verbs that describe behaviour, attitude, or habits. This includes verbs like stare <\/em>(in certain expressions), imparare <\/em>and insegnare <\/em>when talking about learning, aiutare<\/em>, and expressions such as essere abituato<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Elena non sta <\/strong>mai a ascoltare <\/strong>gli altri. When a verb expresses physical movement toward an action, a <\/strong><\/em>is the standard choice. This happens with verbs like andare, venire, entrare, uscire, tornare<\/em>, and correre <\/em>when followed by an infinitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Pi\u00f9 tardi viene a<\/strong> prendermi <\/strong>mio marito. The preposition di <\/em><\/strong>is just as common and appears in very specific contexts. It is often linked to the end of an action, intention, emotions, or mental activities such as thinking, deciding, or remembering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When an action stops or comes to an end, di <\/em><\/strong>is used. Typical verbs include smettere, finire, cessare<\/em>, and terminare<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Da domani smetto di fumare<\/strong>! Many very common Italian expressions are built with avere <\/em>+ a noun and require di <\/em><\/strong>before the infinitive. Some of the most frequent are avere bisogno, avere voglia, avere paura, avere intenzione<\/em>, and avere ragione<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Se avete bisogno di<\/strong> riposarvi<\/strong>, dite pure. Di <\/em><\/strong>is also used after essere followed by adjectives expressing emotional or psychological states, such as contento, felice<\/em>, or stanco<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Siamo stanchi di subire <\/strong>queste ingiustizie! Finally, many high-frequency verbs related to thinking, speaking, and deciding are followed by di<\/em><\/strong>. These include decidere, pensare, credere, sperare, dimenticare, ricordare<\/em>, and consigliare<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Ho deciso di<\/strong> partire <\/strong>in vacanza quest’estate. The preposition da <\/em><\/strong>is less frequent but very distinctive. It is used before an infinitive to express an action that needs to be done, can be done, or is appropriate to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Oggi non esco perch\u00e9 ho <\/strong>molto da fare<\/strong>. In these cases, da <\/em><\/strong>often corresponds in English to structures like “to be done” or “something to + verb”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A <\/em><\/strong>is used with verbs expressing the start or continuation of an action, habitual behaviour, and movement toward doing something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Di <\/em><\/strong>expresses ending an action, intention, emotions, and mental activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Da <\/em><\/strong>indicates what needs to be done, can be done, or is worth doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With regular practice, these patterns become automatic and make your Italian sound far more natural.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019d like a concise overview of these rules with additional examples and a clear structure, check out the grammar sheet dedicated to \u201cVerbo + Preposizione + Verbo\u201d <\/a>in the Sillabi resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Understanding grammar is essential, but real fluency comes from guided practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Foto-articolo-FR-IT-1-1024x538.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. Why prepositions matter so much in Italian<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2. The Preposition a<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2.1 Verbs of beginning and continuation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
– Dopo che sei andata via, ho continuato<\/strong> a lavorare<\/strong>.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n2.2 Verbs expressing attitude, behaviour, or habits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
– I bambini non sono abituati a<\/strong> mangiare <\/strong>cos\u00ec tardi.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n2.3 Verbs of movement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
– Dai, corri a<\/strong> telefonare <\/strong>a Giulio!<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n3. The Preposition di<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3.1 Verbs expressing the end of an action<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
– La nostra azienda ha cessato di esistere <\/strong>da un mese.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n3.2 Expressions with avere <\/em>+ noun<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
– Claudia mi ha detto che non ha <\/strong>nessuna voglia di<\/strong> partire<\/strong>.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n3.3 Essere <\/em>+ adjective: emotions and states<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
– Sono<\/strong> veramente felice di<\/strong> vederlo <\/strong>qui.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n3.4 Verbs of thought, speech, and decision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
– In agenzia mi hanno consigliato di<\/strong> fare <\/strong>il giro delle isole del sud.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n4. The Preposition da<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
– Questo \u00e8 <\/strong>il libro da comprare<\/strong>.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
6. Want to go further?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
7. Want to use these structures without thinking?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n