Breakdown of Dopo aver lavato i piatti, devo asciugare le posate con un panno pulito.
io
I
con
with
lavare
to wash
dopo
after
il piatto
the dish
pulito
clean
dovere
to need
asciugare
to dry
il panno
the cloth
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Questions & Answers about Dopo aver lavato i piatti, devo asciugare le posate con un panno pulito.
What is the function of the phrase "dopo aver lavato i piatti" in the sentence?
It acts as an introductory subordinate clause that sets the timing for the main action. In English, it means "after washing the dishes," indicating that the dishwashing is completed before the subsequent action takes place.
Why does the sentence use "aver lavato" instead of simply "lavato"?
In Italian, when forming an infinitive phrase that expresses a completed action, the structure "aver" (the auxiliary verb used with most transitive verbs) followed by the past participle is common. This construction is similar to saying "after having washed" in English, emphasizing that the washing is entirely finished before moving on.
What does "devo" convey in this context, and why is it in the present tense?
"Devo" is the first person singular form of "dovere," which means "I must" or "I have to." It expresses an obligation or necessity to perform the following action. The present tense indicates the speaker's current intention or requirement to dry the cutlery after washing the dishes.
How is the word "posate" used here, and what does it mean?
"Posate" is the plural form of the feminine noun "posata," meaning "cutlery" or "utensils." The use of the definite article "le" confirms its feminine plural form. It tells us that the speaker needs to dry all the cutlery after having washed the dishes.
What role does the phrase "con un panno pulito" play in the sentence?
This phrase specifies the instrument or means by which the action is carried out. It translates to "with a clean cloth," indicating that the cutlery should be dried using a cloth that is clean, thus emphasizing both the method and the quality of the tool used.
Why is there a comma after "dopo aver lavato i piatti" and how does it affect the sentence's clarity?
The comma separates the introductory subordinate clause from the main clause. This punctuation helps clearly distinguish the timing (the completion of washing the dishes) from the main obligation (drying the cutlery), thereby improving the readability and overall structure of the sentence.