Before Doing Something: Prima di + Infinitive
To talk about doing one action before another, use the phrase prima di followed by the infinitive form of the second verb. This structure is used when the same subject is performing both actions.
| We prepare the equipment before doing the dive. | Prepariamo l'attrezzatura prima di fare l'immersione. |
| We put on the wetsuit before starting the dive. | Indossiamo la muta prima di iniziare l'immersione. |
Attaching Pronouns to the Infinitive
When the verb following prima di requires a pronoun—such as a reflexive pronoun for verbs like tuffarsi (to jump in), or a direct object pronoun—you must attach it directly to the end of the infinitive.
To do this, simply drop the final -e of the infinitive before adding the pronoun. For example, immergere + mi becomes immergermi, and indossare + la becomes indossarla.
| I am checking the equipment before diving. | Sto controllando l'attrezzatura prima di immergermi. |
| He is opening the tank before diving. | Sta aprendo la bombola prima di immergersi. |
| Clean the mask before putting it on! | Pulisci la maschera prima di indossarla! |
Always double-check your gear—and your pronouns—before jumping in!
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