Learn Italian: Tu contribuisci all'iniziativa, e io dono altrettanto. - You contribute to the initiative, and I donate just as much.

Tu contribuisci all'iniziativa, e io dono altrettanto.

You contribute to the initiative, and I donate just as much.

Breakdown of Tu contribuisci all'iniziativa, e io dono altrettanto.

Questions & Answers about Tu contribuisci all'iniziativa, e io dono altrettanto.

Why doesn't altrettanto change its ending in this sentence?

In this sentence, altrettanto acts as an invariable adverb meaning "just as much" or "the same amount." It modifies the verb dono (I donate) rather than describing a specific noun. Whenever it is used as an adverb, it keeps its default -o ending.

Why are the subject pronouns Tu and io used here? Couldn't we just say contribuisci... e dono?

You could leave them out, but including Tu (you) and io (I) creates a strong, deliberate contrast. The speaker is emphasizing the two distinct sides of the partnership: "You do this part, and I do that part."

Why does the verb contribuire become contribuisci in the "you" form instead of just "contribui"?

Contribuire belongs to the group of -ire verbs that insert -isc- into their stem in the present tense (for all singular forms and the "they" form). It conjugates exactly like capire or finire, becoming io contribuisco, tu contribuisci, lui/lei contribuisce, etc.

Why is it written as all'iniziativa with an apostrophe?