Copriamo il tavolo con una tovaglia pulita prima di cenare.

We cover the table with a clean tablecloth before having dinner.

Breakdown of Copriamo il tavolo con una tovaglia pulita prima di cenare.

• il tavolo: the table
• con: with
• noi: we
• pulito: clean
• coprire: to cover
• la tovaglia: the tablecloth
• prima di cenare: before having dinner

Questions & Answers about Copriamo il tavolo con una tovaglia pulita prima di cenare.

What does the verb copriamo indicate in this sentence?

Copriamo is the first person plural form of coprire. It can be interpreted as a statement meaning “we cover” or, more frequently in informal commands, it serves as an inclusive imperative meaning “let’s cover.” This form suggests a suggestion or invitation to perform the action together.

Why is the adjective pulita placed after the noun tovaglia instead of before it?

In Italian, adjectives often follow the noun they modify, especially when describing inherent or observable qualities. So in una tovaglia pulita, the adjective pulita (“clean”) comes after tovaglia (“tablecloth”) following typical Italian word order. This placement is standard in many descriptive contexts.

What role does the prepositional phrase con una tovaglia pulita play in the sentence?

The phrase con una tovaglia pulita acts as a prepositional phrase that describes the means or instrument used in the action. The preposition con means “with” and ties the noun phrase “a clean tablecloth” to the verb, specifying what is used to cover the table.

Why is cenare in its infinitive form after prima di?

In Italian, when using the construction prima di (“before”), the following verb is typically left in the infinitive form. Here, cenare (“to dine” or “to have dinner”) remains uninflected because it indicates the action that will happen after the current one. This is a common way to express temporal sequences in Italian.

Why isn’t the subject explicitly mentioned in the sentence?

Italian verbs are conjugated with unique endings that include the person and number of the subject. In copriamo, the ending clearly indicates that the subject is “we.” Therefore, it is unnecessary—and often stylistically preferred—to repeat the subject, making the sentence more concise and natural.

Does using copriamo convey an imperative tone, and how does that differ from a direct command in other forms?

Yes, using copriamo in this context conveys an imperative tone. In Italian, the first person plural form is often used as an inclusive command similar to “let’s [do something]” in English. This form differs from a direct command addressed to “you” because it invites the speaker and the listener(s) to join in the action, making it both collaborative and courteous.