ogni + Singular Noun
'Ogni' + Singular Noun
Ogni means 'every' or 'each'. It is usually followed by a singular noun and does not take an article (like 'il' or 'la').
How It Works
The word ogni is an indefinite adjective used to express totality in a distributive way.
Key rules for using ogni:
- Singular Noun: Even if you are talking about many things, the noun is normally singular (see the plural exceptions below). For example: ogni giorno (every day), not ogni giorni.
- No Articles: You never use articles (il, lo, la, etc.) with ogni. It is simply ogni mattina, never la ogni mattina.
- Invariable: The word ogni never changes its ending. It stays the same regardless of whether the noun is masculine or feminine (ogni uomo, ogni donna).
- Modern Spelling: In modern Italian, we keep the 'i' even before a vowel. Write ogni anno rather than the archaic ogn'anno.
Plural Exceptions: While ogni usually takes the singular, it can be followed by a plural noun in specific cases:
- With cardinal numbers to show an interval: ogni due settimane (every two weeks).
- With indefinite quantities like pochi or tanti: ogni pochi giorni (every few days).
- With the question word quanti: ogni quanti giorni? (every how many days?).
Examples (5)
- Ogni mattina bevo un caffè.
Every morning I drink a coffee.
Word by Word: Every morning (I) drink a coffee.
Notice that 'mattina' is singular and there is no article between 'ogni' and the noun.
- Ogni studente ha un libro.
Every student has a book.
Word by Word: Every student has a book.
Even though there are many students, 'studente' remains singular.
- Vado in Italia ogni anno.
I go to Italy every year.
Word by Word: (I) go to Italy every year.
In modern Italian, we do not drop the 'i' in 'ogni' before the vowel in 'anno'.
- Ogni persona è importante.
Every person is important.
Word by Word: Every person is important.
'Ogni' is used here with a feminine singular noun ('persona').
- Prendo la medicina ogni otto ore.
I take the medicine every eight hours.
Word by Word: (I) take the medicine every eight hours.
This shows the exception: 'ogni' can be followed by a plural when a number defines the interval.
Common Mistakes
Using a plural noun after 'ogni'.
Ogni giorni vado al lavoro.Ogni giorno vado al lavoro.Learners often use the plural because 'every' implies multiple days, but Italian grammar requires the singular noun 'giorno'.
Adding an article after 'ogni'.
Ogni la volta è diverso.Ogni volta è diverso.Unlike 'tutto', 'ogni' cannot be followed by an article like 'la' or 'il'.
Using 'ogni' as a standalone pronoun.
Ogni sa che è vero.Ognuno sa che è vero.'Ogni' is an adjective and must be followed by a noun. If you want to say 'everyone' without a noun, use the pronoun 'ognuno'.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- tutto + Article'Tutto' + Article
'Tutto' also means 'all/every' but requires a plural noun and an article (e.g., tutti i giorni).
Level 1 - qualcuno / qualcosa / ognunoIndefinite Pronouns (Qualcuno, Qualcosa, Ognuno)
'Ognuno' is the pronoun form of 'ogni' and is used when there is no noun following it.
Level 2 - qualche / alcuni / ogniIndefinite Adjectives (Qualche, Alcuni, Ogni)
'Qualche' is another indefinite adjective that, like 'ogni', is always followed by a singular noun.
Level 2 - Cardinal Numbers
Numbers are used with 'ogni' to express time intervals (e.g., ogni tre mesi).
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Sources
Practice ogni + Singular Noun in Bubblegum
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