Learn Hardcore Italian: L’industria locale produce energia pulita. - The local industry produces clean energy.

In Italian the feminine definite article la drops its final “a” and becomes l’ (with an apostrophe) before any word beginning with a vowel. So la + industria → l’industria.

How do I know that industria is feminine?

Most Italian nouns ending in -ia are feminine (e.g. notizia, memoria). You’ll still want to check a dictionary or memorize exceptions, but industria follows this pattern and takes feminine articles and adjective agreements.

Why does the adjective locale come after industria, and does it change form?

Unlike English, Italian adjectives typically follow the noun: industria locale means “local industry.” In the singular, locale is the same for both masculine and feminine. In the plural it becomes locali (for both genders).

What form is produce, and what’s its Italian infinitive?

Produce is the third-person singular present indicative of produrre (to produce). It corresponds to “(it) produces” or “(she/he/they in formal use) produces.”

Why is there no article before energia pulita, and could I add one?

When talking about an uncountable noun in a general sense, Italian often omits the article: “(it produces) clean energy.” If you want to specify “the clean energy,” you could say l’energia pulita, but here the meaning is general so no article is used.

How does pulita agree with energia, and what if the noun were masculine?

Adjectives in Italian agree in gender and number with the noun they describe. Energia is feminine singular, so pulito becomes pulita. If you had a masculine singular noun (e.g. vento), you’d say vento pulito.

Can I use another adjective instead of pulita, for example to say “green energy”?

Yes. For instance, energia verde means “green energy.” Verde also follows the noun and, in the plural, becomes energie verdi.