Question 1

How does the grammar of anche digiunando work, and can I say anche se digiuno instead?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can! Anche + gerund (digiunando) is called an implicit concessive clause. It means the exact same thing as the explicit version anche se digiuno (even if I fast). At a B2 level, using the gerund this way makes your Italian sound much more fluent and natural.

Question 2

Can I use this anche + gerund structure if the two halves of the sentence have different subjects?

Accepted Answer

No, and that is the golden rule for implicit clauses. You can only say anche digiunando, non dimagrisco because the person fasting and the person not losing weight are the same (I). If the subjects were different, you would have to use the explicit form, for example: Anche se tu digiuni, io non dimagrisco (Even if you fast, I do not lose weight).

Question 3

I occasionally mix up verb endings. Why is it dimagrisco and not just "dimagro"?

Accepted Answer

Dimagrire (to lose weight) is a third-conjugation verb that requires the -isc- insert in the present tense for all singular forms (I, you, he/she) and the "they" form. It follows the exact same pattern as capire (capisco) or finire (finisco).

Question 4

Is the verb dimagrire related to the Italian word for "thin"?

Accepted Answer

Exactly! Magro means "thin" or "skinny." By wrapping it in a prefix (di-) and a verb ending (-ire), Italian creates dimagrire—literally "to become thin." You will see this pattern in its opposite too, where grasso (fat) becomes ingrassare (to gain weight).

Anche digiunando, non dimagrisco.

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