Log inSign up

So addestrare i cani, solo che questo morde per colpa del dolore.

So addestrare i cani, solo che questo morde per colpa del dolore.
I know how to train dogs, except that this one bites because of the pain.
From Lesson 418:Restrictive connectors (solo che)·Italian

Questions & Answers about So addestrare i cani, solo che questo morde per colpa del dolore.

Why does solo che take the indicative verb morde here instead of the subjunctive?
While many conjunctions ending in che trigger the subjunctive, solo che (meaning 'except that' or 'the only thing is') introduces a concrete fact or a real obstacle. Because it states a reality rather than a doubt or possibility, it requires the indicative.
Could I just say a causa del dolore instead of per colpa del dolore?
Yes, a causa di (due to / because of) is perfectly fine and neutral. However, per colpa di literally means 'through the fault of,' and is widely used in conversational Italian to emphasize that a cause has a negative consequence (in this case, the pain causing the dog to bite).
Why use so (sapere) instead of a form of conoscere for 'I know'?
When you want to say you 'know how' to perform a skill, you must use sapere directly followed by an infinitive (like addestrare). You use conoscere when you are familiar with a noun, like a person or place (e.g., conosco quel cane - I know that dog).
How does questo work here without a noun attached to it?
Questo (this) is acting as a demonstrative pronoun here, standing in for questo cane (this dog). Since cane is masculine singular, the pronoun takes the masculine singular form questo to mean 'this one'.

Learn So addestrare i cani, solo che questo morde per colpa del dolore and more in Italian

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
  • ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
  • ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free
Start learning Italian →