Choosing -isc- Verbs Correctly

Level 2

While most Italian -ire verbs follow one specific pattern (either simple like dormire or inchoative like capire), a few 'overabundant' verbs allow both forms (e.g., nutro and nutrisco).

How It Works

In Italian, the third conjugation (-ire verbs) is split. Most verbs are either 'simple' (io dormo) or use the -isc- suffix (io capisco). However, a few verbs, known as verbi sovrabbondanti, accept both.

1. Where does -isc- appear?
The suffix appears in the 'boot' positions: 1st, 2nd, 3rd person singular and 3rd person plural of the Present Indicative and Subjunctive, and the corresponding Imperative forms.

2. Common Double-Form Verbs:

Applaudire (to applaud): applaudo (more common) / applaudisco.
Nutrire (to nourish/feed): nutro / nutrisco (both common).
Mentire (to lie): mento (standard) / mentisco (archaic/literary).
Assorbire (to absorb): assorbo (more common) / assorbisco.
Tossire (to cough): tossisco (standard) / tosso (rare).

3. Nuances and Usage:
In modern Italian, the choice is often stylistic. For example, with nutrire, nutro is frequently used for figurative meanings (e.g., 'I harbor a hope'), while nutrisco is often used for literal feeding, though they remain interchangeable. Historically, the -isc- suffix indicated the start of an action (inchoative), but this meaning is lost in modern Italian; both forms now mean the exact same thing.

Examples (5)

Il pubblico applaude con entusiasmo.
The audience applauds with enthusiasm.
Word by Word: The public applauds with enthusiasm.
'Applaude' is the non-isc form of 'applaudire' and is the most common choice in modern Italian.
Il pubblico applaudisce con entusiasmo.
The audience applauds with enthusiasm.
Word by Word: The public applauds with enthusiasm.
'Applaudisce' uses the -isc- suffix; it is perfectly correct but slightly less frequent than 'applaude'.
Io nutro grandi speranze per il futuro.
I harbor great hopes for the future.
Word by Word: I nourish great hopes for the future.
'Nutro' is often preferred for figurative expressions like 'harboring' feelings.
La mamma nutrisce il bambino.
The mother feeds the baby.
Word by Word: The mother nourishes the baby.
'Nutrisce' is the -isc- form of 'nutrire', commonly used for the act of feeding.
Lui non mente mai ai suoi amici.
He never lies to his friends.
Word by Word: He not lies never to his friends.
For the verb 'mentire', the simple form 'mente' is the standard modern choice.

Common Mistakes

Using -isc- for verbs that are strictly simple, like 'partire'.
Io partisco domani.
Io parto domani.
While some verbs have double forms, most -ire verbs are strictly one or the other. 'Partire' (to leave) never takes -isc-.
Confusing 'ripartire' (to leave again) with 'ripartire' (to distribute).
Il treno ripartisce alle otto.
Il treno riparte alle otto.
These are homographs. 'Riparte' comes from 'partire' (to leave), while 'ripartisce' comes from 'ripartire' (to divide/distribute). Context is key!

How It Connects

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Choosing -isc- Verbs CorrectlyLevel 2

Learn This First

To correctly choose between the -isc- and non -isc- forms, a learner must already be familiar with the two distinct conjugation models for third-conjugation (-ire) verbs in the present tense. This pattern focuses on the lexical knowledge required to apply the correct model to specific verbs.

-isc--isc- Pattern -ire Verbs
This pattern introduces the -isc- suffix itself; understanding how it is applied to verbs like 'finire' is essential before learning how to distinguish between the two types of -ire verbs.
Level 1

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Patterns that build on this one.

Compound GerundLevel 4

Words in This Pattern

-isc-

Sources

Practice Choosing -isc- Verbs Correctly in Bubblegum

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