Breakdown of Dobbiamo sforzarci di superare questo crepaccio profondo, altrimenti non arriveremo al campo.
questo
this (masculine)
non
not
arrivare
to arrive
al
to the / at the
dovere
must
superare
to overcome
il campo
the field
di
to (linking a verb to a following infinitive)
altrimenti
otherwise
profondo
deep
sforzarsi
to strive
il crepaccio
the crevasse
Questions & Answers about Dobbiamo sforzarci di superare questo crepaccio profondo, altrimenti non arriveremo al campo.
Why is the pronoun ci attached to the end of sforzarci?
Sforzarsi is a pronominal verb of effort meaning to strive or to make an effort. Because it is used here with the modal verb dobbiamo (we must), the reflexive pronoun ci (matching the "we" of the subject) can attach to the dropped "-e" of the infinitive to form sforzarci. As a quick refresher, you could also place it before the conjugated verb: ci dobbiamo sforzare.
Why do we need the preposition di between sforzarci and superare?
The verb sforzarsi requires the preposition di when it is followed by an action in the infinitive. It is best to memorize it as a fixed pattern: sforzarsi di fare qualcosa (to make an effort to do something).
Doesn't superare usually mean to pass an exam or to overcome a feeling? Can it be used for a physical object like a crevasse?
Yes! While superare is heavily used for abstract obstacles like fears, exams, or limits, it is perfectly natural to use it for physical obstacles too. In this context, it means to get past, to clear, or to physically cross the crevasse.
Does the conjunction altrimenti (otherwise) trigger the subjunctive mood?
No, altrimenti does not require the subjunctive. It simply acts as a bridge connecting a condition to its consequence. Here, it introduces a factual future consequence, which is why the standard future indicative tense is used for non arriveremo (we will not arrive).
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