Learn Italian: «Quella virgola è inutile», suggerì il redattore. - "That comma is useless," the editor suggested.

«Quella virgola è inutile», suggerì il redattore.

"That comma is useless," the editor suggested.

Breakdown of «Quella virgola è inutile», suggerì il redattore.

to prompt / to suggest

inutile

useless

Questions & Answers about «Quella virgola è inutile», suggerì il redattore.

Why is the subject at the end in suggerì il redattore?

In written Italian, when a reporting clause follows or interrupts direct speech, the subject almost always comes after the verb. While il redattore suggerì isn't strictly wrong, suggerì il redattore is the stylistic standard for literature and journalism.

Why is the verb suggerì in the passato remoto rather than the passato prossimo?

Because dialogue tags like this are mostly found in novels, stories, and written journalism, they naturally use the passato remoto (the historical past). This tense is the standard choice for narrating completed past events in written storytelling.

Is there a difference between redattore and editore?

Yes! Redattore refers to a text editor, copy editor, or staff writer—the person who actually works on the text, like the one in this sentence. Editore is a false friend that usually means publisher (the company or person funding and releasing the work).

Why is the comma placed outside the quotation marks here?

In Italian typography, a comma separating direct speech from a reporting verb is placed outside the closing quotation mark. This differs from American English, where commas are usually tucked inside the quotes.