Four passives, one fact
Italian has several correct passive forms for the same content. At this level the question is which one to choose: each puts the weight somewhere else, and each suits different kinds of text.
Le domande … esaminate
| Form | What it stresses | Where it is typical |
|---|---|---|
| Le domande sono esaminate con cura. | neutral, process or result | everywhere |
| Le domande vengono esaminate con cura. | clearly the process | reports, procedures, news |
| Le domande vanno esaminate con cura. | obligation or advice | instructions, regulations, specialist texts |
| Le domande si esaminano con cura. | general practice, "one does" | conversation, explanations |
esaminare – to examine
venire in history and reports
Historical writing often puts the passive in the passato remoto. There even fu is clearly an event, because the passato remoto narrates events. So venne doesn't clarify anything; it is a choice of style. It stresses the process and avoids a chain of fu … fu … fu.
Alternating in a historical text
La Costituzione venne approvata nel dicembre 1947 e fu promulgata pochi giorni dopo.
The Constitution was adopted in December 1947 and promulgated a few days later.
Il ponte venne distrutto nel 1944 e ricostruito dopo la guerra.
The bridge was destroyed in 1944 and rebuilt after the war.
In the imperfetto, though, the choice matters. venivano firmate describes a repeated process, while erano firmate can also describe a state: the signature was already on them.
Habit or state
Le lettere venivano firmate dal sindaco.
The letters were (always) signed by the mayor.
a process that kept happening
Le lettere erano firmate dal sindaco.
The letters were signed by the mayor.
state or process, depending on context
andare as a building block of texts
In essays, reports and expert opinions, va plus a verb of saying introduces a point. The subject is the following che clause, so everything stays singular. It works like English It should be noted that…. In conversation people tend to say bisogna dire che.
Introducing a point
Va detto che i dati si riferiscono solo al Nord.
It should be said that the data only cover the North.
Va ricordato che la legge è entrata in vigore solo nel 2019.
It should be remembered that the law only came into force in 2019.
Va sottolineato che nessuno dei partecipanti era stato informato.
It must be stressed that none of the participants had been informed.
non va means "must not"
In the negative, the obligation becomes a ban: non va fatto means "must not be done". English doesn't have to, in the sense of "isn't necessary", needs a different expression, such as non è necessario or non serve.
Ban versus no obligation
Questo farmaco non va assunto a stomaco vuoto.
This medicine must not be taken on an empty stomach.
Non è necessario assumere questo farmaco a stomaco pieno.
This medicine doesn't have to be taken with food.
Il rischio non va sottovalutato.
The risk must not be underestimated.
Non serve firmare il modulo, basta inviarlo.
You don't have to sign the form, just send it.
