The infinitive can be used after certain
prepositions, such as per, prima di and senza;
whereas in English, the gerund form is usually used.
Siamo pronto per uscire. We
are ready to go out.
Prima di partire. Before leaving.
Senza dire niente. Without saying anything.
The past infinitive may be used after
senza and dopo. It is formed
with the auxiliaries essere or avere and the past
participle of the verb. The final -e of the
auxiliary verb is commonly dropped.
Sono venuti senza aver telefonato.
They came without having telephoned.
È ritornata dopo aver comprato i biglietti.
She returned after having bought the tickets.
The infinitive may also function as
a noun. In this case, the English translation
is also the gerund form.
Viaggiare stanca. Travelling
is tiring.
Letting, seeing or hearing someone do
something is expressed by the forms of lasciare,
vedere and sentire plus the infinitive.
Ho sentito cantare Teresa. I
heard Teresa sing.
Ho veduto dormire i bambini. I saw
the children sleep.
