-isc-
-isc- Pattern -ire Verbs
Most Italian verbs ending in -ire (about 80%) are not 'regular' in the simplest sense. Instead, they insert the letters -isc- between the stem and the ending for all singular persons (io, tu, lui/lei) and the third-person plural (loro).
How It Works
While often called 'inchoative' verbs, the -isc- pattern in modern Italian has no specific meaning; it is simply a way to conjugate the verb.
How to conjugate:
Take a verb like capire (to understand). The stem is cap-.
- io capisco
- tu capisci
- lui/lei capisce
- noi capiamo (No -isc-)
- voi capite (No -isc-)
- loro capiscono
Key Rules:
1. Stress: The stress falls on the -i- of the -isc- (e.g., finìsco, finìscono). This keeps the stress off the root of the verb.
2. Frequency: This is the most common pattern for -ire verbs. While most new Italian verbs overall use the -are ending, the -isc- pattern is the productive model for any new verbs entering the -ire conjugation (like gestire).
3. Imperative: The pattern follows the 'boot' shape in the imperative. The tu, Lei, and loro forms take the -isc- infix (e.g., finisci!), while the noi and voi forms do not (e.g., finiamo!, finite!).
4. Subjunctive: Don't forget that the pattern continues in the present subjunctive (e.g., che io capisca).
Examples (5)
- Io capisco l'italiano molto bene.
I understand Italian very well.
Word by Word: I understand the Italian very well.
The verb 'capire' adds -isc- for the 'io' form.
- Loro finiscono i compiti stasera.
They are finishing their homework tonight.
Word by Word: They finish the homework tonight.
The 'loro' form adds -isc- and the stress is on the 'i': fi-nì-sco-no.
- Noi puliamo la cucina ogni giorno.
We clean the kitchen every day.
Word by Word: We clean the kitchen every day.
Notice that 'pulire' does NOT use -isc- in the 'noi' form.
- Perché non preferisci il caffè?
Why don't you prefer coffee?
Word by Word: Why not (you) prefer the coffee?
The 'tu' form of 'preferire' adds -isc-.
- Voi spedite il pacco domani?
Are you (plural) sending the package tomorrow?
Word by Word: You send the package tomorrow?
The 'voi' form never takes the -isc- infix.
Common Mistakes
Applying the -isc- pattern to regular -ire verbs like 'partire' or 'sentire'.
Io partisco domani.Io parto domani.Verbs like 'partire', 'sentire', and 'dormire' are part of the minority group that does not use -isc-.
Misplacing the stress in the 'loro' form.
Loro finiscòno.Loro finìscono.In the 3rd person plural, the stress stays on the 'i' of the infix, not the ending.
Using -isc- in the 'noi' or 'voi' forms.
Noi capisciano.Noi capiamo.The -isc- infix only appears in the 'boot' shapes of the conjugation table (1s, 2s, 3s, 3p).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the -isc- pattern, you first need to be familiar with the standard present tense endings for -ire verbs. Additionally, you must know the subject pronouns to distinguish between the forms that take the -isc- suffix and the 'noi' and 'voi' forms that do not.
Related Patterns
- Choosing -isc- Verbs Correctly
Some verbs like 'mentire' or 'nutrire' can be conjugated both with and without -isc-.
Level 2 - Present Subjunctive
The -isc- pattern also applies to the present subjunctive forms of these verbs.
Level 3 - Informal Imperative (tu)
The -isc- infix is also used in the informal 'tu' and 'Lei' imperative forms.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice -isc- in Bubblegum
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