Question 1

Usually, a narrative sequence might use the passato prossimo for the new events. Why are both verbs in the imperfetto here?

Accepted Answer

This is a classic example of the imperfetto onirico (dream imperfect). When recounting dreams, Italian often uses the imperfetto to describe both the setting and the actions. This creates a detached, suspended feeling, as if you are describing an ongoing parallel reality rather than a chronological sequence of completed historical events.

Question 2

Could I use galleggiavo instead of fluttuavo to mean I was floating?

Accepted Answer

Usually not! Galleggiare means to stay afloat on the surface of a liquid, like a cork on water. Fluttuare means to float, hover, or drift in the air or space, which perfectly fits this surreal dream context of floating around a room.

Question 3

Why is more and more surreal translated as sempre più surreale instead of using più e più?

Accepted Answer

In Italian, the structure sempre più plus an adjective is the standard way to express increasingly or a gradual increase of a trait. While più e più exists, it means repeatedly or many times, and is not used to modify adjectives. You can also use sempre meno for less and less.

Question 4

If the atmosphere changed, couldn't I use the passato prossimo and say è diventata?

Accepted Answer

You could use è diventata if you wanted to emphasize a sudden, jarring change that happened in a specific moment. However, keeping it in the imperfetto (diventava) treats the change as a gradual, unfolding process. This aligns perfectly with the imperfetto onirico, which avoids strict time boundaries and keeps the dream narrative flowing smoothly.

Fluttuavo nella stanza e l'atmosfera diventava sempre più surreale.

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