Three ways to say “after”
For a completed earlier action Italian has three correct forms. They differ in length and register, that is, in how written or spoken they sound.
Same statement, three registers
| Form | Sentence | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| dopo che + verb | Dopo che abbiamo finito il lavoro, siamo usciti. | spoken, spelled out |
| dopo + infinito passato | Dopo aver finito il lavoro, siamo usciti. | neutral, fits anywhere |
| participio assoluto | Finito il lavoro, siamo usciti. | terse, written, narrative |
In stories and reports the participle strings actions together quickly, often with the passato remoto in the main clause.
Salutati gli amici, partì per Milano.
Having said goodbye to his friends, he left for Milan.
Firmato il contratto, l'azienda ha avviato i lavori.
Once the contract was signed, the company started work.
More than a time reference
At first the participle only says: this was finished before. Context often adds a reason. With benché, sebbene or anche se in front, it becomes a concession.
Reason: because, since
Chiusa la strada, abbiamo dovuto fare il giro lungo.
With the road closed, we had to take the long way round.
Esaurite le scorte, il negozio ha chiuso prima.
Having run out of stock, the shop closed early.
Concession: although
Sebbene ferito, ha giocato fino alla fine.
Although injured, he played to the end.
Benché invitata, non si è presentata.
Although invited, she didn't turn up.
Set phrases in factual texts
In letters, minutes and reports some participles stand at the start of the sentence almost like prepositions. Here too the participle usually agrees with the noun.
Common set phrases
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Data l'ora, Dati i costi | given |
| Considerate le circostanze | considering, in view of |
| Vista la richiesta | in view of, with reference to |
| Fatta eccezione per | except for, with the exception of |
| Ciò detto, Detto questo | that said, having said that |
Data l'ora tarda, rinviamo la discussione a domani.
Given the late hour, let's postpone the discussion until tomorrow.
Vista la Sua richiesta, Le inviamo il modulo in allegato.
Further to your request, please find the form attached.
Fatta eccezione per i festivi, l'ufficio è aperto tutti i giorni.
Except for public holidays, the office is open every day.
Pronouns on the participle
An object pronoun attaches to the end of the participle, and the participle agrees with the pronoun. This sounds literary; you meet it mainly in novels and elevated prose.
Aprì la lettera e, lettala due volte, la strappò.
He opened the letter and, having read it twice, tore it up.
Salutatili, se ne andò senza voltarsi.
Having said goodbye to them, she left without looking back.
English has absolute phrases too, but puts the noun first and often adds being or having been: The road (having been) closed, … Italian puts the participle first and never adds an auxiliary: Chiusa la strada, ….
