From single sentences to a line of thought
An argument sets one side against another, adds points and ends with a conclusion. For that Italian has two pairs where the first half announces the second, and single words for adding a point, raising an objection and concluding. The logic is the same as in English; what differs is the mechanics.
da un lato … dall'altro
The pair sets two sides of the same matter against each other, like on the one hand … on the other. Once you say da un lato, the second half is owed. English on the other hand is a frozen phrase, but in Italian dall'altro agrees with the word of the first half: lato is masculine and parte feminine, so da un lato … dall'altro but da una parte … dall'altra.
The contrast in a sentence
Da un lato vorrei cambiare lavoro, dall'altro qui mi trovo bene.
On the one hand I'd like to change jobs, on the other I'm happy here.
Da una parte costa meno, dall'altra ci mette il doppio del tempo.
On the one hand it costs less, on the other it takes twice as long.
Da un lato capisco la sua reazione. Dall'altro, poteva dirmelo prima.
On the one hand I understand his reaction. On the other, he could have told me earlier.
non solo … ma anche
This pair does not contrast, it escalates: the second point lands on top of the first. Not only … but also is non solo … ma anche. The second half opens with ma, not with and. anche stands in front of the word it highlights.
The frame
English inverts after fronted not only (Not only did he arrive late). Italian does not: subject and verb keep their normal order, Non solo è arrivato in ritardo.
Escalating in a sentence
Studia non solo il tedesco, ma anche il russo.
She studies not only German but also Russian.
Non solo parla italiano, ma parla anche il dialetto.
He not only speaks Italian, he speaks the dialect too.
Non solo ci ha aiutato, ma ci ha anche invitato a cena.
Not only did he help us, he also invited us to dinner.
When both halves are negative, anche becomes nemmeno or neanche, and non stays in place: didn't even.
Non solo è arrivato in ritardo, ma non si è nemmeno scusato.
Not only did he arrive late, he didn't even apologise.
inoltre and d'altra parte
Both carry a sentence on their own: inoltre adds a point on the same side, d'altra parte raises an objection. A normal main clause follows, with the subject before the verb. English also does two jobs, but Italian splits them: inoltre connects sentences, anche highlights a single item.
Piling on or pushing back
inoltre: moreover, what's more
Il corso è gratuito. Inoltre, ti danno un certificato.
The course is free. What's more, they give you a certificate.
Costa poco e inoltre è vicino a casa.
It's cheap and it's close to home as well.
d'altra parte: on the other hand, then again
Il prezzo è alto. D'altra parte, la qualità si vede.
The price is high. Then again, you can see the quality.
Mi dispiace per lui, ma d'altra parte se l'è cercata.
I feel sorry for him, but then again he brought it on himself.
in conclusione
An argument ends with an announced conclusion. in conclusione is in conclusion and names the result of the reasoning. alla fine is in the end and names a moment in time: Alla fine è venuto anche lui. English finally covers both jobs, so take care to choose in conclusione for the summing-up. Close to it are the spoken insomma (in short) and the milder tutto sommato (all in all).
Announcing the conclusion
In conclusione, conviene aspettare la primavera.
In conclusion, it's worth waiting for spring.
Insomma, non ne vale la pena.
In short, it isn't worth it.
Tutto sommato, siamo stati bene.
All in all, we had a good time.
A model paragraph
Lavorare da casa
Il lavoro da casa ha cambiato le nostre giornate, e non tutti la pensano allo stesso modo.
Working from home has changed our days, and not everyone sees it the same way.
State the thesis.
Da un lato, si risparmiano due ore di viaggio al giorno.
On the one hand, you save two hours of travel a day.
Open the first side.
Inoltre, si lavora meglio quando nessuno ti interrompe ogni dieci minuti.
What's more, you work better when nobody interrupts you every ten minutes.
Add another point.
Non solo si guadagna tempo, ma si spende anche molto meno.
Not only do you gain time, you also spend a lot less.
Escalate.
Dall'altro, si perde il contatto quotidiano con i colleghi.
On the other hand, you lose daily contact with your colleagues.
The second side, the promise is kept.
D'altra parte, non tutti hanno una stanza libera in casa.
Then again, not everyone has a spare room at home.
Slip in an objection.
In conclusione, la soluzione migliore è restare a casa due o tre giorni a settimana.
In conclusion, the best solution is staying at home two or three days a week.
Draw the conclusion.
