I libri sono sparsi sul tavolo.

The books are scattered on the table.

Breakdown of I libri sono sparsi sul tavolo.

• essere: to be
• su: on
• il tavolo: the table
• il libro: the book

Questions & Answers about I libri sono sparsi sul tavolo.

What does each component of I libri sono sparsi sul tavolo mean?

Breaking it down: • I libri means the books. • sono is the third person plural present form of essere, meaning are. • sparsi is an adjective meaning scattered; its form is masculine plural to agree with libri. • sul tavolo is a contraction of su (on) and il (the), together meaning on the table.

Why is the definite article I used before libri?

In Italian, definite articles are used more consistently than in English. I libri specifies that we are talking about particular books within a given context, much like the books in English.

How does the adjective sparsi agree with the noun libri?

Italian adjectives must match the noun they modify in both gender and number. Since libri is masculine plural, the adjective appears as sparsi (masculine plural form). If the noun were feminine or singular, the ending of sparsi would change accordingly.

What is the significance of the contraction sul in sul tavolo?