Question 1

Why does altrettanto end in -o here? Shouldn't it change its ending?

Accepted Answer

In this sentence, altrettanto is acting as an adverb meaning "likewise" or "the same thing", modifying the verb phrase ha fatto (he did). Because it is an adverb here, it is invariable and always ends in -o. If it were acting as an adjective describing a noun, like in altrettante persone (as many people), it would change to match that noun's gender and number.

Question 2

How does altrettanto relate to tanto in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

They are closely related! Tanto here is an adverb meaning "a lot" or "much". Altrettanto combines the idea of altro (other) and tanto (as much). By saying lui ha fatto altrettanto, we are literally saying he did "as much as the other" or "likewise".

Question 3

Why use the passato prossimo (like ha finanziato and ha fatto) instead of the imperfetto?

Accepted Answer

We use the passato prossimo because these are viewed as completed, specific events that happened within stated timeframes (due anni fa for her actions, and oggi for his action). If we were describing an ongoing habit in the past, we would use the imperfetto.

Question 4

I know fa means "makes" or "does". Why does due anni fa mean "two years ago"?

Accepted Answer

When placed immediately after a period of time, the word fa translates to "ago". It comes from the verb fare (to make or do), carrying the historical meaning of "it makes two years" since the event happened. It is a set phrase structure you will see often with time expressions.

Due anni fa, lei ha finanziato l'iniziativa e ha donato tanto; oggi lui ha fatto altrettanto.

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