Learn Hardcore Italian: Metterò il diploma in una cornice sopra la scrivania. - I will put the diploma in a frame above the desk.

Metterò is the first-person singular of the futuro semplice (simple future) of mettere (“to put”). You form it by taking the stem metter- and adding the future ending -ò for “io.” Other endings are -ai, -à, -emo, -ete, -anno for the other persons.

Why is the subject io omitted in Metterò?

Italian is a “pro-drop” language: you can leave out subject pronouns because the verb ending itself tells you the subject. Here, -ò signals “I,” so io is unnecessary unless you want extra emphasis.

Why does the sentence use il diploma instead of un diploma?

Using il diploma (definite article) implies you’re talking about a specific diploma known to speaker and listener—perhaps the one you just earned. Un diploma (indefinite article) would suggest “some diploma” or “any diploma,” which changes the nuance.

Even though diploma ends in -a, why is it masculine?

Some Italian nouns of Greek or Latin origin keep a masculine gender despite ending in -a (e.g., il problema, il poeta, il programma). Il diploma follows that same pattern.

Why is it in una cornice and not su una cornice?

You put something inside a frame, so Italian uses in (“in a frame”). Saying su una cornice would mean “on top of a frame,” which doesn’t match how you display a certificate.

Could you use con una cornice instead of in una cornice?

Yes, con (“with”) is possible:
• Metterò il diploma con una cornice sopra la scrivania.
This emphasizes the instrument/material (“with a frame”). But in una cornice is more idiomatic when placing something inside it.

What’s the difference between sopra la scrivania and sulla scrivania?

Sopra and su are largely interchangeable when meaning “on.”
• Sopra la scrivania = su + la scrivania = sulla scrivania.
Sopra may sound a bit more formal or literal, while su (and its contraction sulla) is very common in speech.

How would you replace il diploma with “it” in Italian?

Use the direct object pronoun lo (because diploma is masculine singular) placed before the verb:
Lo metterò in una cornice sopra la scrivania.

Can I switch the order of the two prepositional phrases?

Technically yes, but word order conveys clarity:
• …in una cornice sopra la scrivania.
First you place the diploma in the frame, then that framed diploma sits on the desk. Swapping them (e.g., sopra la scrivania in una cornice) could sound odd or imply you frame something already on the desk.