Breakdown of La pianificazione del viaggio è importante per risparmiare tempo.
essere
to be
di
of
importante
important
il tempo
the time
per
to
il viaggio
the trip
risparmiare
to save
la pianificazione
the planning
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Questions & Answers about La pianificazione del viaggio è importante per risparmiare tempo.
Why is the definite article la used before pianificazione?
In Italian, abstract or general concepts often take the definite article. Here la pianificazione refers to “planning” as a general activity. Omitting la would make it sound like you’re talking about one specific plan rather than the concept of planning.
What’s the difference between pianificazione and pianificare?
Pianificazione is a noun meaning “planning,” while pianificare is the verb “to plan.” Using the noun lets you make it the subject of the sentence: La pianificazione del viaggio è importante…. If you use the verb, you’d say Pianificare il viaggio è importante… instead.
Why do we say del viaggio instead of della viaggio or per il viaggio?
Viaggio is masculine, so “of the” becomes del (di + il). Della would pair with a feminine noun. You could say per il viaggio, but that phrasing means “in order to plan the trip,” shifting the focus from “the planning of the trip” to the purpose of planning.
Why is per used before the infinitive risparmiare? Could we use a risparmiare or leave it out?
In Italian, per + infinitive expresses purpose (“in order to…”). Per risparmiare tempo means “to save time.” You cannot use a risparmiare in this context, and omitting the preposition would either break the construction or change its meaning.
Why is there no article before tempo? Can we say per risparmiare il tempo?
When you speak of an uncountable concept like time in general, Italian normally drops the article. Per risparmiare tempo means “to save time” in a general sense. Using il tempo would refer to a specific period already mentioned: per risparmiare il tempo che perdiamo ogni mattina, for example.
How could I rephrase this sentence using the verb pianificare instead of the noun?
You can make the action itself the subject:
Pianificare il viaggio è importante per risparmiare tempo.
This construction shifts the focus from “the planning” (noun) to “to plan” (verb).
Can I invert the sentence and start with È importante?
Yes. You can front È importante to emphasize importance:
È importante la pianificazione del viaggio per risparmiare tempo.
This word order is slightly more formal or emphatic but means the same thing.