Learn Italian: Conoscevo già questo ristorante. - I already knew this restaurant.

Conoscevo già questo ristorante.

I already knew this restaurant.

Breakdown of Conoscevo già questo ristorante.

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Questions & Answers about Conoscevo già questo ristorante.

Why is the imperfect tense (conoscevo) used here instead of the passato prossimo (ho conosciuto)?

The imperfect tense is used to describe ongoing states or situations in the past. Knowing a place is a continuous state, so we use conoscevo. If you used the passato prossimo (ho conosciuto), it would change the meaning entirely to 'I met' or 'I discovered' the restaurant for the first time.

Could I use sapevo instead of conoscevo to say I knew the restaurant?

No, because conoscere is used for being familiar with people, places, and things. Sapere is used for knowing facts, information, or how to do something. Since a restaurant is a place, you must use a form of conoscere.

Why does già come right after the verb instead of before it?

In Italian, short adverbs of time like già (already) usually go immediately after the verb in simple tenses. While in English we say 'I already knew', the Italian phrasing is more like 'I knew already' (Conoscevo già).

How do I know to use questo instead of another form like questa?