Question 1

How would I apply this lesson's grammar to add "As far as I know" to the beginning of this sentence?

Accepted Answer

You would use a limitative clause like Per quanto ne so (indicative) or Per quanto io sappia (subjunctive). Adding this to the start of the sentence restricts the scope of your statement, meaning the document is unreliable only to the extent of your current knowledge.

Question 2

Could I use inaffidabile instead of inattendibile for "unreliable" here?

Accepted Answer

It is much more natural to use inattendibile. In Italian, inattendibile is used specifically for information, documents, sources, or claims that lack credibility. Inaffidabile is generally used for people who let you down or machines that do not work consistently (like an unreliable car or friend).

Question 3

Is confidenziale a false friend, or does it always mean "confidential"?

Accepted Answer

It is a partial false friend! When talking about documents, data, or business, it directly translates to "confidential" (though you will also frequently see riservato). However, in social contexts, confidenziale usually means "informal" or "familiar," such as speaking to a friend in a tono confidenziale (an informal tone).

Question 4

How does the verb attendere (to wait) turn into the adjective inattendibile (unreliable)?

Accepted Answer

It traces back to the older, original meaning of attendere, which meant "to pay attention to" or "to apply one's mind to." Over time, attendibile (the root word) came to describe information that is worthy of attention or trust. Adding the negative prefix in- gives us inattendibile (unworthy of trust, or lacking credibility).

Questo documento confidenziale è inattendibile.

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