La trama è avvincente, e l’autrice scrive con grande chiarezza.

The plot is gripping, and the author writes with great clarity.

Breakdown of La trama è avvincente, e l’autrice scrive con grande chiarezza.

• essere: to be
• con: with
• e: and
• grande: great

Questions & Answers about La trama è avvincente, e l’autrice scrive con grande chiarezza.

What’s the difference between e and è, and how are they pronounced?

• e means and; it has no accent and is pronounced like a short closed “eh” [e].
• è means is (3rd person of essere); it has a grave accent and is pronounced more open [ɛ], like “eh” in “bet.”
• Do not omit the accent on è: e and è are different words in meaning and pronunciation.

Is the comma before e necessary?

It’s optional. Italian often allows a comma before e to mark a slight pause between two independent clauses. Both are fine:

• La trama è avvincente, e l’autrice scrive con grande chiarezza.
• La trama è avvincente e l’autrice scrive con grande chiarezza.

Why l’autrice and not la autrice?

Because of elision: la becomes l’ before a vowel sound.

• l’autrice, l’amica, l’idea This also happens with masculine lo/il → l’ before vowels:
• l’autore, l’amico

Could we use instead of here?