Transitive:

The word transitive comes from the Latin transire meaning ‘to pass’, ‘to cross’, ‘to go beyond’, therefore it describes actions that move from the subject or doer directly to the object, without making use of prepositions such as di, da, per, a etc.
Examples:
The classic example that we learn at school is: io mangio la mela (I eat the apple); in this sentence io is the subject of the verb, mangio is the transitive verb, and la mela is the direct object.
It’s not always necessary to express the direct object, for example: la sera mangio presto (in the evening I eat early). Here, the direct object would be ‘dinner’, ‘meal’, or ‘food’, but it is implicit rather than expressed.
Another example would be: Giovanni guida la macchina per andare a lavorare (Giovanni drives his car to go to work). Here, guidare is a transitive verb because it is followed by the direct object, la macchina. However I could also omit ‘la macchina’ and simply say Giovanni guida per andare a lavorare.

Intransitive:
When using intransitive verbs, the action does not move directly from the subject to the object but makes use of a preposition such as di, da, in, a etc.
Some important intransitive verbs are those which don’t express an action but rather a state or a condition, such as essere (to be), stare (to stay), divenire (to become), or movement such as andare (to go), venire (to come), arrivare (to arrive), etc. When using these verbs we frequently add information, such as ‘where’, ‘when’, ‘how’, ‘for how long’, and so on.
Examples:
il treno è arrivato in stazione (the train arrived at the station). Here, il treno is the subject, è arrivato is the intransitive verb, in stazione is the indirect object introduced by the preposition in
sto in ufficio tutto il pomeriggio (I’ll be in the office all afternoon)
Giovanni va al lavoro in macchina (Giovanni goes to work by car)

The past perfect, in Italian as in English, is used to show that a past event or state happened prior to a past reference point.

It’s formed using the auxiliary verb ‘avere’ or ‘essere’ in the imperfect tense, and the past participle of the main verb.

Below are the conjunctions of ‘essere’, ‘avere’, and an example verb from each of the three main groups.

Remember that when you use the auxiliary verb ‘essere, the past participle needs to ‘agree’ with the gender and singular or plural nature of the subject.

essere [to be]

io ero stato/a
tu eri stato/a
lui/lei era stato/a
noi eravamo stati/e
voi eravate stati/e
loro erano stati/e

avere [to have]

io avevo avuto
tu avevi avuto
lui/lei aveva avuto
noi avevamo avuto
voi avevate avuto
loro avevano avuto

First group, -are

magiare [to eat]

io avevo mangiato
tu avevi mangiato
lui/lei aveva mangiato
noi avevamo mangiato
voi avevate mangiato
loro avevano mangiato

Second group, -ere

bere [to drink]

io avevo bevuto
tu avevi bevuto
lui/lei aveva bevuto
noi avevamo bevuto
voi avevate bevuto
loro avevano bevuto

Third group, -ire

venire [to come]

io ero venuto/a
tu eri venuto/a
lui/lei era venuto/a
noi eravamo venuti/e
voi eravate venuti/e
loro erano venuti/e

On this page, you will see several different types of object pronouns: 1) direct objects, 2) indirect objects, 3) objects of preposition, 4) reflexive pronouns, 5) the passive “si,” and 5) ci and ne.

1) Direct objects

A direct object receives the action of the verb and answers the question, “What?” For example:

• Vedo la ragazza. I see the girl.

We can ask, “What do I see?” and answer “The girl.” So “la ragazza” is our direct object.

Just like how in English we can replace “the girl” with the pronoun “her,” in Italian we can replace direct objects with pronouns. The direct object pronouns are the following:

Usually these pronouns come before your verb. So the sentence “Vedo la ragazza” becomes “La vedo” (I see her).

Sometimes pronouns are put after the verb for emphasis, and then use a different set of pronouns, called tonic pronouns:

Except for “me” and “te,” these are the same forms as the subject pronouns. Going back to “Vedo la ragazza,” we can say “Vedo lei,” if we want to emphasize that it is her (not someone else).

2) Indirect objects

Like direct objects answer the question “What?” indirect objects usually answer the question “To whom?” or “For whom?” For example:

• Scrivo a mia sorella. I write to my sister.

“My sister” answers the question, “To whom do I write?” so “mia sorella” is the indirect object.

The indirect object pronouns look like the direct object pronouns, except the third person:

Like the direct object pronouns, these typically come before the verb:

• Scrivo a mia sorella. Le scrivo. I write to my sister. I write to her.

You can also use the tonic pronouns (see above) after the verb for emphasis or clarification, but with the indirect object, “a” is required:

• Scrivo a lei.

The only exception is “loro,” which does not require “a”:

• Scrivo ai miei amici. Gli scrivo. / Scrivo loro. I write to my friends. I write to them.

3) Objects of preposition

After a preposition (for example, “con,” “di,” “per”), you should use a tonic pronoun (see above):

• Non so niente di te. I don’t know anything about you.

4) Reflexive pronouns

In Italian, some verbs are reflexive, meaning that the person doing the action does it to him or herself. Examples of this would be “mettersi” (to put a piece of clothing on), “chiamarsi” (literally “to call oneself”), and “sentirsi” (to feel). In the dictionary, you may notice that the infinitive has “si” on the end to show the verb is reflexive.

Reflexive verbs have their own pronouns:

These pronouns match the verb (“mi” with the “io” form, “ti” with “tu,” etc.) and are usually placed before the verb:

• Mi metto la giacca. I put on my coat.

5) The passive “si” (si passivante)

We use the passive or impersonal “si” when we don't want to state who exactly did the action. This can be translated in different ways in English. For example:

• In Italia si mangia la pizza.

This could be translated as: In Italy, pizza is eaten, In Italy, you (in general) eat pizza, In Italy, one eats pizza, In Italy, they (in general) eat pizza, among other things. The important thing to remember is that this action is not being done by any specific person.

To form this, use “si” and a verb in the third person (the form for lui/lei or loro). If there is an object after the verb, the verb agrees with the object. So we say:

• Si mangia la pizza.

but

• Si mangiano le pizze.

If there is no object, the verb is singular:

• Si mangia.

For reflexive verbs, you add “ci” before “si”:

• Ci si alza presto. One gets up early.

6) Ci and ne

“Ci” and “ne” replace prepositional phrases. “Ci” replaces “in” or “a” and their object:

• Vai a Roma? No, non ci vado. Are you going to Rome? No, I’m not going there.

“Ne” replaces “di” and its object:

• Vuoi una di queste caramelle? Ne vuoi una? Do you want one of these candies? Do you want one of them?

Proposition - By Michael San Filippo 

Italian Verbs That Demand A

The proposition a can link a verb to an object such as a noun or a pronoun, or a verb in the infinitive. For example: to get used to the weather; to get used to doing something.

Connecting to a Noun or Pronoun With A

These verbs connect through a to someone or something.

Connecting to an Infinitive With A

These are verbs that use a to connect to another verb: to begin to do something.

Verbs of Movement That Want by ABeforeObject or Infinitive

Verbs of movement use a to connect with a noun or a verb, except for a few that want da: partire da (to leave from), venire/provenire da (to come from), allontanarsi da (to distance oneself from).

Italian Verbs That Demand Di

The preposition di can link a verb to an object such as a noun or a pronoun, or to another verb in the infinitive (or both, depending on the meaning).

Connecting to a Noun or Pronoun With Di

Connecting toan Infinitive With Di

Italian Verbs That Demand Su

These verbs use su to connect to a noun or pronoun:

Italian Verbs That Want Per

These verbs use per to connect to a noun or pronoun or another verb.

Verbs Without Preposition Before Another Verb

Of course, you know that helping verbs dovere, potere, and volere do not need any preposition to connect to another verb: Devo andare (I must go); non posso parlare (I cannot speak). There are others:

Have you ever studied the “Si spersonalizzante“?

The so called “Si spersonalizzante” is used in Italian to make the verb impersonal.

When there is not a specific subject, we use the particle “si” as an indefinite subject which refers to people in general.

We have to distinguish a number of different situations though.

Let’s go through some examples to better understand it!

In example n.1, we have an impersonal construction with an intransitive verb: in this case we use si + third person singular of the verb.

In n.2 we have an impersonal construction with a transitive verb agreed with a singular object (un buon profumo): so we use si + third person singular of the verb + singular object.

Example n.3 is an impersonal construction with a transitive verb agreed with a plural object (panorami meravigliosi): in this case we use si + third person plural of the verb + plural object.

N.4 refers to Reflexive Verbs: if we want to make them impersonal, we use ci + si + third person singular of the verb.

The last example shows the impersonal construction si + è + adjective: careful, in this case the adjective is always masculine plural!

Try to make some sentences using the “si spersonalizzante” now!

It will be easier than you thought!

You will see several different types of object pronouns:

1. ) direct objects
2. ) indirect objects,
3. ) objects of preposition,
4. ) reflexive pronouns,
5. ) the passive “si,” 
6. )and  ci and ne.

1) Direct objects

A direct object receives the action of the verb and answers the question, “What?” For example:

• Vedo la ragazza. I see the girl.

We can ask, “What do I see?” and answer “The girl.” So “la ragazza” is our direct object.

Just like how in English we can replace “the girl” with the pronoun “her,” in Italian we can replace direct objects with pronouns. The direct object pronouns are the following:

Usually these pronouns come before your verb. So the sentence “Vedo la ragazza” becomes “La vedo” (I see her).

Sometimes pronouns are put after the verb for emphasis, and then use a different set of pronouns, called tonic pronouns:

Except for “me” and “te,” these are the same forms as the subject pronouns. Going back to “Vedo la ragazza,” we can say “Vedo lei,” if we want to emphasize that it is her (not someone else).

2) Indirect objects

Like direct objects answer the question “What?” indirect objects usually answer the question “To whom?” or “For whom?” For example:

• Scrivo a mia sorella. I write to my sister.

“My sister” answers the question, “To whom do I write?” so “mia sorella” is the indirect object.

The indirect object pronouns look like the direct object pronouns, except the third person:

Like the direct object pronouns, these typically come before the verb:

• Scrivo a mia sorella. Le scrivo. I write to my sister. I write to her.

You can also use the tonic pronouns (see above) after the verb for emphasis or clarification, but with the indirect object, “a” is required:

• Scrivo a lei.

The only exception is “loro,” which does not require “a”:

• Scrivo ai miei amici. Gli scrivo. / Scrivo loro. I write to my friends. I write to them.

3) Objects of preposition

After a preposition (for example, “con,” “di,” “per”), you should use a tonic pronoun (see above):

• Non so niente di te. I don’t know anything about you.

4) Reflexive pronouns

In Italian, some verbs are reflexive, meaning that the person doing the action does it to him or herself. Examples of this would be “mettersi” (to put a piece of clothing on), “chiamarsi” (literally “to call oneself”), and “sentirsi” (to feel). In the dictionary, you may notice that the infinitive has “si” on the end to show the verb is reflexive.

Reflexive verbs have their own pronouns:

These pronouns match the verb (“mi” with the “io” form, “ti” with “tu,” etc.) and are usually placed before the verb:

• Mi metto la giacca. I put on my coat.

5) The passive “si” (si passivante)

We use the passive or impersonal “si” when we don't want to state who exactly did the action. This can be translated in different ways in English. For example:

• In Italia si mangia la pizza.

This could be translated as: In Italy, pizza is eaten, In Italy, you (in general) eat pizza, In Italy, one eats pizza, In Italy, they (in general) eat pizza, among other things. The important thing to remember is that this action is not being done by any specific person.

To form this, use “si” and a verb in the third person (the form for lui/lei or loro). If there is an object after the verb, the verb agrees with the object. So we say:

• Si mangia la pizza.

but

• Si mangiano le pizze.

If there is no object, the verb is singular:

• Si mangia.

For reflexive verbs, you add “ci” before “si”:

• Ci si alza presto. One gets up early.

6) Ci and ne

“Ci” and “ne” replace prepositional phrases. “Ci” replaces “in” or “a” and their object:

• Vai a Roma? No, non ci vado. Are you going to Rome? No, I’m not going there.

“Ne” replaces “di” and its object:

• Vuoi una di queste caramelle? Ne vuoi una? Do you want one of these candies? Do you want one of them?

More Clitics - Explaining Non se ne va mai.

Andarsene is a pronomial verb. This means it is a mixture of a verb and pronouns. In this case it is the verb andare (to go) and two pronouns si and ne. If you remember when si precedes another clitic it changes to se. Ne in this case is known as a pronomial particle and means somewhere and Si is the reflexive pronoun. Andarsene is the verb to go away somewhere. It is conjugated by putting the reflexive pronoun first then the pronomial particle next and then the conjugated verb. Me ne vado (Me in place of Mi), Te ne vai, Se ne va, Ce ne andiamo, Ve ne andate, Se ne vanno. Pronomial verbs are easy to spot because of the pronouns attached at the end of the verb. Guardarsene (to avoid something) Pentirsene (to regret) Volerci (to take, as in time or effort), Avercela (to be angry) Dormirsela ( to sleep soundly). The pattern of conjugation remains the same. Using the verb avercela above...Ce l'ho con lei. I am angry with her.

Stare Conjugation in the Indicative Present Tense

Stare is an intransitive verb, meaning that it does not take a direct object. It’s also an irregular verb and it does not follow the pattern of the verbs ending in “-are”. Here is how to form the present tense of stare.

• Come stai?
  How are you?

• In questi giorni sto a Roma.
  These days I’m staying in Rome.

• Sto per uscire.
  I’m about to leave.

Stare is often used to form the Present Progressive tense, in order to talk about an action that is happening at the same time we are speaking. This construction is formed by stare + the gerund of the verb.

• Sto mangiando.
  I’m eating.

• Sto andando a lavoro.
  I’m going to work.

Stare Conjugation in the Indicative Past Tense

The indicative mood has two simple past tenses: imperfetto and passato remoto.

• Stavo per uscire quando il telefono ha squillato.
  I was about to leave, when the phone rang.
  
• Quando ho visto Paola, non stava facendo niente.
  When I saw Paola, she wasn’t doing anything.
  

While the imperfetto is used for recurring actions in the past or for events that happened not too long ago, the passato remoto is used to talk about something that took place months, or years ago. However, it’s rarely used in real life (with the exception of some regional uses, especially in Southern Italy).

• Ero così arrabbiato che non stetti nemmeno a sentirlo.
  I was so angry that I didn’t even stay to listen to him.

Stare Conjugation to Talk about the Future

There are two tenses to express the future in Italian. We’ll see first the Future Simple of stare.

• Ho sbagliato, ma in futuro starò più attento.
  I made a mistake; in the future, I’ll be more careful.
  
• Starò a Parigi per due settimane.
  I’ll stay in Paris for two weeks.

Compound Tenses of Stare Conjugation

The indicative mood also has a few compound tenses. Since stare is an intransitive verb, its compound tenses are formed by adding the auxiliary essere (to be).

Stare Conjugation: Present Perfect Tense

The Present Perfect is the most used tense to talk about past actions. Here is how you form it.

• Sono stato a Milano per una settimana.
  I’ve stayed in Milan for a week.

• La spiegazione non è stata molto chiara.
  The explanation wasn’t very clear.

Remember that when essere is used as an auxiliary, you need to modify the acting verb according to the gender and number of the subject.

Stare Conjugation: Pluperfect and Preterite Perfect tense

The trapassato prossimo is normally used to talk about an action that happened in the past, before another action.

• A quanto pare non ero stato chiaro, così gliel’ho rispiegato.
  Apparently, it wasn’t clear enough, so I explained it again.

The Trapassato remoto is formed with the Remote Past tense of essere + the past participle of stare.

You will hardly encounter the trapassato remoto of stare, so don’t worry too much: it’s only used in complex structures in literature, hence, it’ll be quite weird to use it in spoken language.

Stare Conjugation: Future Perfect Tense

The futuro anteriore has no equivalent in English, and is mostly used for two purposes:

• To indicate an action that will be finished before another one will take place.
• To express an hypothesis or uncertainty, or when you’re not sure about whether something will take place.

• Se sarai stato promosso con buoni voti, ti farò un bel regalo.
  If you’ll pass this year with good marks, I’ll give you a nice present.

• Perchè Marco non c’è? Sarà stato trattenuto a lavoro.
  Why is Marco not here? He must be stuck at work.

Subjunctive Tense of Stare

The subjunctive is the mood of uncertainty and is often introduced in Italian by the conjunction “che” (that). It is often used to express opinions, hope, wishes, assumptions, feelings, doubts or hypotheses.

Present Subjunctive

The present subjunctive of stare conjugation has the same three endings for all singular persons. Therefore, it’s advisable to add a pronoun before the verb, to help distinguish among them.

• Non credo che tu mi stia ascoltando.
  I believe you’re not listening to me.

• Penso che Luca stia dicendo una bugia.
  I think that Luca is telling a lie.

Perfect Subjunctive

The Past Subjunctive is formed with the Present Subjunctive of essere + the Past Participle of stare.

It is used to express past actions and express hypothesis or doubts, as well as to formulate rhetorical questions.

• Che sia stato lui a scrivere quella lettera?
  Perhaps it was him who wrote that letter?

Subjunctive Imperfect

The subjunctive imperfect of stare is another irregular tense and is formed by removing the verb ending -are and by adding the following endings: -essi, -essi, -esse, -essimo, -este, -essero.

• Non sapevo che Lucia stesse per partire, altrimenti l’avrei salutata.
  I didn’t know that Lucia was about to leave, otherwise I would say goodbye to her.
• Se tu non stessi a casa così spesso, conosceresti più persone.
  If you didn’t stay home so often, you’ll get to know more people.

Pluperfect Subjunctive

The Pluperfect Subjunctive of stare is formed by the Present Subjunctive of essere + the past participle of stare. It is mostly used in hypothetical clauses, often introduced by “se” (if).

• Se fossi stato onesto, non avremmo litigato.
  If you were sincere, we wouldn’t have fought.

• E se fosse stato lui a tradire la tua fiducia, che farai?
  What if it was him who betrayed you, what would you do?

Conditional Mood of Stare

The Conditional mood only has two tenses: present and past. This verbal mode is used to talk about actions or situations that are conditioned by other actions, or to express impossible situations, or an information that the speaker is unsure about. It is the equivalent of the English would + verb.

• Non starei mai con uno come te.
  I would never stay with someone like you.

• Se foste arrivati prima ad aiutarci, non staremmo in questa situazione.
  If you came earlier to help us, we wouldn’t be in this situation.

The conditional past is used for the same purpose, but of course it is used to talk about past actions/information. It is formed by using the Conditional Present of essere + the past participle of stare.

• Non sarei mai stato in grado di superare l’esame, senza il tuo aiuto.
  I would never be able to pass the exam without your help.

• Non sarei stato così tanto a Roma, se non avessi amato la città.
  I would never have stayed so long in Rome if I hadn’t loved the city.

Imperative Mood and Indefinite Moods of Stare

Finally, let’s end this overview of the stare conjugation by looking at the imperative mood (used to express orders or requests) and the indefinite moods.

• Sta’ zitto!
  Shut up!

• Stai qui, mentre vado a fare la spesa.
  Stay here, while I go shopping.

Lastly, the indefinite moods of stare:

For first and second person, direct and indirect are the same, so you only have to learn one set. Me is mi, you is ti, us is ci, you-plural is vi.

For the third-person ones is that direct objects are just as you'd want them to be lo is him, la is her, li is them, le is them-female. Indirect objects are all gli except single women, who're le.