The present participle
The present participle is often used instead of a phrase introduced by che (that) to describe a characteristic.
Alessandro è un bambino che sorride molto → Alessandro è un bambino molto sorridente.
Alessandro is a child who smiles a lot → Alessandro is a very smiley child (literally, a very smiling child).
The present participle is formed as follows:
- -are verbs → -ante
Parlare → parl + ante = parlante
To speak → speaking
- -ere and -ire verbs → -ente
Insistere → insist + ente = insistente
To insist → insisting
Servire → serv + ente = servente
To serve → serving
The present participle doesn't vary by gender, and the final -e becomes -i in both the masculine and feminine plural forms.
Lucia è molto divertente. ♀
Lucia is very entertaining.
Sono dei dispositivi parlanti. ♂♂
They are devices that communicate with each other (literally “talking devices”).
The following are some of the irregular present participles.
Soddisfare → soddisfacente
To satisfy → satisfying
Ubbidire → ubbidiente
To obey, to comply → obedient, compliant
Cuocere → cocente
To cook → cooking
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