Question 1

Why is the verb plural (usano) if the translation says 'People use'?

Accepted Answer

This sentence uses the passivating si (the si passivante). When you use si to mean 'people in general' and the action has a specific direct object, the verb must agree with that object. Since dispositivi (devices) is plural, the verb must be plural (usano). Literally, it translates to 'Devices are used.'

Question 2

What exactly is the non solo ... ma anche structure connecting in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

It is connecting the two different descriptions of the devices. It highlights that the devices are non solo (not only) simple, ma anche (but also) increasingly connected. Notice how the noun dispositivi is placed before the first description so it applies to both parts.

Question 3

Does sempre più mean 'always more' or 'increasingly'?

Accepted Answer

It literally translates to 'always more', but this is the standard, natural way to express 'increasingly' or 'more and more' in Italian.

Question 4

Why isn't there a word for 'ones' at the end of the Italian sentence?

Accepted Answer

English uses 'ones' as a placeholder to avoid repeating the noun ('devices'). Italian doesn't need a placeholder word like this; you simply drop the noun and let the adjective (connessi) stand alone. The masculine plural ending -i already shows that it refers back to dispositivi.

Si usano non solo dispositivi semplici, ma anche sempre più connessi.

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