When you want to describe a trait or situation so extreme that it triggers a specific, often disastrous result, you use a consecutive clause. In English, we do this by saying something is "so... that..." a consequence happens.
In Italian, the most common way to build this is with così ... che. Simply frame your adjective or adverb with these two words. Because the result is a factual event, the verb in the che clause takes the standard indicative mood.
- così + [adjective/adverb] + che + [result]
| The floor was so slippery that the clumsy waiter fell. | Il pavimento era così scivoloso che il cameriere maldestro è caduto. |
| Having finished lunch, I was so careless that I spilled the coffee. | Finito il pranzo, ero così sbadato che ho rovesciato il caffè. |
Using Talmente
For extra emphasis, you can swap così for talmente (to such an extent). It means the exact same thing and is completely interchangeable with così in these constructions.
- talmente + [adjective/adverb] + che + [result]
| I was so clumsy that I made a mess. | Sono stato talmente maldestro che ho fatto un pasticcio. |
| The table was so sticky that the glass wouldn't move. | Il tavolo era talmente appiccicoso che il bicchiere non si muoveva. |
These two structures are perfect for recounting wild mishaps, clumsy moments, and their immediate consequences. You can pair them with dramatic verbs like frantumarsi (to shatter) and inzuppare (to soak):
| The glass shattered into pieces so small that I cannot find them. | Il bicchiere si è frantumato in pezzi così piccoli che non li trovo. |
| He was so careless that he soaked his shirt with coffee. | Era talmente sbadato che ha inzuppato la camicia di caffè. |