Questo pallone è più leggero di quello che avevo prima.

to have

Breakdown of Questo pallone è più leggero di quello che avevo prima.

• essere: to be
• che: that
• più: more
• prima: before
• quello: the one
• leggero: light
• di: than
• il pallone: the ball

Questions & Answers about Questo pallone è più leggero di quello che avevo prima.

What does "questo pallone" mean in this sentence?

It means "this ball." The demonstrative adjective "questo" identifies a specific ball that is being referred to in the current context.

How is the comparative form "più leggero di" constructed in Italian?

Italian uses the structure "più" + adjective + "di" to form comparisons. In this sentence, "più leggero" translates to "lighter" (literally, "more light"), and "di" functions like the English word "than," linking the ball in question to the one previously owned.

What does the phrase "quello che avevo prima" refer to?

It means "the one I had before." Here, "quello" acts as a demonstrative pronoun referring to a previously possessed object, while "che avevo prima" is a relative clause providing more details, indicating that the speaker is comparing the current ball with a past possession.

Why is the imperfect tense used in "avevo" instead of another past tense?

"Avevo" is the first-person singular in the imperfect tense of "avere." The imperfect is used to describe a past state or a habitual context. In this sentence, it indicates that the speaker owned a ball earlier—even though that situation is in the past, it serves as a reference point for the present comparison.

Do Italian adjectives form comparatives in the same way as English adjectives (for example, using an -er ending)?

No, Italian adjectives do not typically form comparatives by adding an -er suffix. Instead, comparatives are created by placing "più" (more) or "meno" (less) before the adjective and then using "di" to introduce the item being compared. For instance, "più leggero" means "lighter" without any change to the adjective itself.

Can you break down the overall structure of the sentence "Questo pallone è più leggero di quello che avevo prima"?

Certainly. The sentence is composed of two main parts:

1. Main Clause: "Questo pallone è più leggero" – stating that "this ball is lighter."
2. Comparative Element with Relative Clause: "di quello che avevo prima" – here, "di" introduces the comparison, "quello" stands for "the one" (referring back to a ball), and "che avevo prima" is a relative clause clarifying that this is the ball the speaker had previously. Together, these parts compare the weight of the current ball with that of the previously owned ball.