'DA' AND ONE OF ITS MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS.

Copyright The JP Method.

'Da' does not only mean 'from'. For one thing, 'from' is only a translated form. Moreover, it only describes one of the many functions of 'da', which is indicating origin either in space or time. Here are some sentences where the preposition 'da' is used with different functions than the regular 'from' we're all used to.

1.

Generalmente, la bara viene trasportata DA almeno sei persone.

2.

Non vedo Alfonso DA cinque anni. Chissá come sta?

3.

Per piacere, stacca il quadro DALLA parete. Voglio appenderne un altro.

4.

Ho bisogno di comprare un paio di occhiali DA sole per la prossima estate.

5.

Prego, accomodati in salotto. Ti preparo qualcosa DA bere? Un caffè o un tè?

6.

Mi dispiace ma domani sono impegnato. Devo andare DA mia madre per aiutarla a fare dei lavori in casa.

7.

Mi stai minacciando? Brrrrr, sto tremando DALLA paura!

8.

DA bambini Marco e io giocavamo sempre insieme. Poi ci siamo persi di vista.

If you read carefully, each 'da' in the sentences above represents a different grammatical function. Some still indirectly fit the 'origin' function, like in sentence #2 where five years ago is when I started (origin) not seeing Alfonso, and up to today I still haven't seen of him. The grammatical functions in all other 'da's span some wide gamut of possibilities from 'cause' through 'distance', 'separation', 'motion towards a place', etc.

So how are you supposed to remember each and every one of these functions, and then use them all comfortably in sentences?

The best thing you can do is work on one function at a time.

You can pick one and spend some time practicing with that one alone.

I would suggest starting with 'DA' followed by a length of time, as in sentence #2, or 'DA' with the function of motion towards a place, as in sentence #6.

In the first case, 'da' is followed by the indication of a time length, something like "vent'anni", "due ore", "tre giorni", "un mese", etc. The verb tense you need is an easy simple present ('presente indicativo') or a present progressive ('stare + gerund'). With this function, 'da' indicates for how long an action has been going on.

Once you have this down, you need to practice out loud. The only way to trigger some sort of automatism is by way of repetition.

Here's your exercise:

Say sentences out loud to describe how long something has been going on.

Instructions:

1) Do this exercise aloud. No pen and paper anywhere at hand.

2) Say sentences in the 'io' person using your personal experience.

3) Say sentences for one minute straight. Use a watch or stopwatch to help keeping track of time.

4) After that, take a one minute break and then start again for one minute. Feel free to repeat some or all of the sentences you said before.

5) Do not let yourself think for too long. Say sentences back to back and right off the top of your head.

IMPORTANT NOTE

When doing an exercise such as the above, keep your sentences simple and straight to the point. This is not a conversation exercise. Your sole target here is to get presente indicativo,'da', and length of time right. In fact, not just that. Your aim is also to get it right and use it comfortably, easily, and quickly (fluently) at the same time. If during this or other similar exercises you start getting concerned about irrelevant things such as sentence complexity, variety, correct grammar, etc., you'll stray from your main objective and fail.

If you're working on 'da' + length of time, you must rid your sentences of any obstacles that can slow you down or sidetrack you. Once you're able to use the target structure fluently in simple and repetitive sentences and once you have created an automatism or muscle memory, only then can you increase the level of difficulty.

I promise you, if you jump the gun, you will fail.

More posts and exercises to come on the many functions of the preposition 'da' in Italian.

And this is The JP Method for Italian!