Implicit Declarative Clauses: "Di" + Infinitive
When reporting a candidate's skills, you often express what someone says, thinks, or knows.
In English, we usually use "that" to connect these ideas (e.g., "He says that he is qualified"). In Italian, when the subject of the main verb is the same as the subject of the reported action, use an implicit declarative clause. Instead of conjugating the second verb, connect the main verb to the infinitive using di.
This applies to verbs of thinking (like credere), knowing (sapere), and communicating (dire, sostenere, dichiarare, affermare).
| The candidate says he has an excellent recommendation. | Il candidato dice di avere un'ottima raccomandazione. |
| I believe I have an excellent reference. | Credo di avere un'ottima referenza. |
| He is not a beginner; on the contrary, he knows he is qualified. | Non è un principiante, anzi, sa di essere qualificato. |
| He claims to excel in mathematics. | Sostiene di eccellere in matematica. |
If you are reporting multiple actions, repeat di before each infinitive verb.
| He says he is proactive and excels in his sector. | Dice di essere intraprendente e di eccellere nel suo settore. |
| He promises to supervise the group well and to increase productivity. | Promette di supervisionare bene il gruppo e di aumentare la produttività. |
This pattern smoothly combines with other verbs that take di + infinitive, such as decidere di (to decide to).
| The director claims to recognize the boy's potential and decides to praise him. | Il direttore afferma di riconoscere il potenziale del ragazzo e decide di elogiarlo. |
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