Breakdown of Leggo l’elenco delle spese prima di uscire.
io
I
di
of
leggere
to read
prima di
before
uscire
to go out
l’elenco
the list
la spesa
the expense
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Questions & Answers about Leggo l’elenco delle spese prima di uscire.
Why is it l’elenco and not il elenco?
In Italian, when il is followed by a noun beginning with a vowel (like elenco), you drop the i and add an apostrophe: l’ + elenco = l’elenco. This elision makes pronunciation smoother.
What does delle spese mean here? Is delle a partitive article or something else?
In this sentence, delle is the combination of the preposition di + the definite article le (feminine plural). It literally means “of the.” So l’elenco delle spese = “the list of the expenses.” It isn’t partitive (“some expenses”) but the genitive/possessive form.
Could I say l’elenco spese instead of l’elenco delle spese?
Yes, in titles, headings or bullet points you often see Elenco spese as a shorthand. In a full sentence, however, Italians typically include delle for clarity: l’elenco delle spese.
Why is prima di uscire followed by an infinitive (uscire) and not a gerund?
After a preposition in Italian (like di), you use the infinitive form of the verb, never the gerund. So prima di uscire = “before (to) leave.” If you tried a gerund (uscendo), it would be ungrammatical here.
Can I specify from where I’m leaving by saying prima di uscire di casa?
Absolutely. Uscire often means “leave home,” but you can add di casa for emphasis: prima di uscire di casa = “before leaving the house.”
Why use the present tense leggo if the action happens immediately before going out? Wouldn’t future or past make more sense?
Italian frequently uses the simple present to describe both habitual actions and immediate sequences. Here leggo l’elenco conveys “I read the list (right now) before I leave.” Using the present underscores that it’s something you do routinely or at that moment.
Is there a difference between elenco and lista?
Both words mean “list,” but elenco often sounds more formal or technical (e.g., in documents, reports), whereas lista is more colloquial and general (e.g., a shopping list).
Why is spese feminine plural?
The singular noun is spesa (feminine), meaning “expense” (or “shopping”). Its plural is spese, following the usual –a → –e pattern for feminine nouns in Italian.
Could I omit the article entirely and just say Leggo elenco delle spese?
No, in normal spoken or written Italian you need the article. Leggo elenco delle spese sounds unnatural. Always use l’elenco or at least un elenco if it’s indefinite.