Learn Italian: In base a questi dati, il progetto funziona. - On the basis of these data, the project works.

In base a questi dati, il progetto funziona.

On the basis of these data, the project works.

Breakdown of In base a questi dati, il progetto funziona.

il progetto

the project

funzionare

to work / to function (machines, devices)

il dato

the figure (data, statistic)

in base a

on the basis of, according to

Questions & Answers about In base a questi dati, il progetto funziona.

How does in base a fit with the compound prepositions we are learning in this lesson?

Just like oltre a (besides) and rispetto a (compared to), in base a is a compound preposition ending with a. It means "based on" or "on the basis of". Because it ends in a, if the following word required a definite article, you would combine them into an articulated preposition (for example, in base ai risultati). Here, the demonstrative adjective questi doesn't take an article, so the a remains separate.

Why is it plural (questi dati) when we usually say "this data" in English?

While English often treats "data" as a singular, uncountable mass noun, Italian treats un dato (a piece of data or a fact) as a regular countable noun. When referring to a collection of information, you must use the plural i dati. Therefore, "this data" becomes plural in Italian: questi dati.

Could I use a form of lavorare instead of funziona here?

No, you must use funzionare. In Italian, lavorare is strictly used for people or animals doing physical or mental labor. For systems, machines, ideas, or projects that "work" (meaning they operate correctly or are successful), you always use funzionare.