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Imperfetto vs [stare in imperfetto + gerundio] in single past events

How do I choose between "imperfetto" and "stare + gerundio" when referring to single past events? I thought I would use the former for habits and the latter for single past events. However, I found a counterexample in a related Italian Stack…
Alan Evangelista
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Aspettare (da) + time period

What is the difference between the following sentences? ho aspettato tre anni ho aspettato da tre anni I thought that the latter was the correct one, but I have read the former today.
Alan Evangelista
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Difference between "festa" and "vacanza" (holiday)

I am trying to understand what is the difference between "festa" and "vacanza" when they mean "holiday" (US term for a day in which most schools, stores and offices are closed because of a public celebration). I am aware of the other meanings of…
Alan Evangelista
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Pensiamoci su domani

I have read the following sentence: Pensiamoci su domani Does "su" add anything here or is it just idiomatic? Would "Pensiamoci domani" be wrong/not usual?
Alan Evangelista
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Venga da me - meaning of "da"

I know that "da" may mean to/at, when someone is talking about "one's place/home" or "one's work place", as "chez" in French. Examples: Devo portare il piccolo Luigi dal pediatra. (I must take the little Luigi to the pediatrician) È da sua madre.…
Alan Evangelista
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Redundant direct object pronoun

I have heard the following rhetorical question in a movie: Lo sai che l'avvocato è l'unico che può farti uscire? The direct object "lo" seems redundant to me, as the sentence "che l'avvocato è..." works as the object of "sapere" in this sentence.…
Alan Evangelista
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"Fare si che" o "fare sì che"

Buongiorno, Mi chiedo quali delle seguenti due sia corretto, "fare si che" o "fare sì che". Non sono sicuro di quale sia il costrutto giusto, anche perché non capisco la funzione di "si" o "sì" in questo contesto. Grazie.
Joselin Jocklingson
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Articles in general statements

In English, the article is omitted in general statements. Does Italian use the definite article in such sentences? Example: "Non feriamo gli animali" = We do not hurt the animals (specific animals, e.g., the ones in this zoo, the ones I own). May it…
Alan Evangelista
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Hai la patente? - omission of possessive adjective

I have recently heard: Hai la patente? Could this be rephrased to "Hai la tua patente?" ? Is the former more usual? In what other cases (besides body parts) is the possessive adjective often omitted?
Alan Evangelista
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Could you clarify difference among Bettola, Osteria, Taverna, Trattoria, Ristorante and Locanda, Pensione, Albergo, Hotel?

I am researching local or tourist-oriented facilities in regards of Food/Lodging industry. Could you please clarify the difference among, Bettola Osteria Taverna Trattoria Ristorante And among Locanda Pensione Albergo Hotel I did look all these…
gsl
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Vengono anche loro? - explicit subject and subject inversion

I have heard the question: Vengono anche loro? Is the subject explicit and put at the end of the sentence for emphasis? Could I simply say: Vengono anche? Loro vengono anche? Which form is the most usual?
Alan Evangelista
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Cosa significa l'espressione "si fa presto a dire"?

Che cosa significa l'espressione "si fa presto a dire"? Per esempio: “Si fa presto a dire prosecco” o “si fa presto a dire casa”.
gfleck
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Can "quasi quasi" carry the same disapproving, threatening tone as "have half a mind to do" in English?

The other day, in conversation I said jokingly: Oh, ma guardati! Devi aver fatto un viaggio lunghissimo... I tuoi vestiti sono sporchissimi! Quasi quasi ti faccio spogliare e te li lavo! Here I wanted to express the idea of "I’ve a good mind /…
Con-gras-tue-les-chiens
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Qual è la forma corretta: "dovevo" o "avrei dovuto"?

Buongiorno, volevo chiedere quale delle due forme sia più corretta: Forse non dovevo mangiare così tanto ieri sera oppure Forse non avrei dovuto mangiare così tanto ieri sera. Grazie.
Sara Monti
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Is this correct?

I want to say "I spent the whole day yesterday learning Italian" ieri sto passai tutto il giorno imparare l'italiano This is my first attempt in forming a complete sentence, probably fill with silly mistakes. Thanks!
Ophelia
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