Breakdown of Il ragazzo non è idoneo per partecipare alla gara.
essere
to be
il ragazzo
the boy
non
not
per
for / in order to / because of
alla
to the / at the (feminine singular)
partecipare
to participate
la gara
the race, the competition (sporting contest)
idoneo
eligible, fit, suitable
Questions & Answers about Il ragazzo non è idoneo per partecipare alla gara.
Why is per used before the infinitive partecipare instead of a or di?
The adjective idoneo (eligible, suitable, fit) is one of several adjectives that require the preposition per when expressing what someone is suitable or eligible for. While English says 'eligible to participate', Italian uses per + infinitive to indicate the purpose or the specific action they are qualified for.
Could we drop the verb and just say he is not eligible 'for the competition'?
Why does the sentence use alla gara instead of nella gara?
This is because the verb partecipare (to participate / to take part) always takes the preposition a in Italian. Since English speakers say 'participate in', it is very tempting to use in or nella. However, Italian strictly requires a, which merges with the definite article la to become alla.
Is idoneo only used for competitions and sports?
No, idoneo is a versatile and slightly formal adjective meaning 'suitable', 'fit', or 'qualified'. You will frequently encounter it in official, bureaucratic, or medical contexts, such as being physically fit for a job (idoneo al lavoro) or having the right qualifications for a scholarship.
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