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Senza connessione non possiamo lavorare online.

Senza connessione non possiamo lavorare online.
Without a connection we cannot work online.
From Lesson 177:Progressive degree (sempre più, sempre meno)·Italian

Questions & Answers about Senza connessione non possiamo lavorare online.

Why is there no word for "a" before connessione?
After the preposition senza (without), Italian typically drops the indefinite article (un, una) when referring to a broad or general noun. You usually only include the article if you add an adjective to describe the noun, such as senza una connessione veloce (without a fast connection).
Why is lavorare in its infinitive form instead of being conjugated for "we"?
It follows possiamo, which is a modal verb (from potere, meaning "to be able to"). Whenever a conjugated modal verb is used to "help" another action, that second action verb must remain in its infinitive (dictionary) form.
Does the English loanword online change its spelling if it refers to something plural?
No. When English words like online or computer are borrowed into Italian, they are "invariable." This means they never change their endings to match gender or number, regardless of how they are used in the sentence.
Why does non go immediately before possiamo?
In Italian, the negative word non must always be placed directly in front of the verb phrase it negates. Because it is negating the conjugated verb possiamo (we can), it has to sit right beside it, keeping the verb phrase intact after the introductory condition (Senza connessione).

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