How to Use "Proseguire a": Meaning and Practical Examples

Learning Italian also means navigating its idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs. Often, these small verbal constructions can cause confusion. Today we focus on one of them: "proseguire a". This expression is essential for expressing the continuation of an action, and integrating it into your practical Italian vocabulary will help you communicate more fluently. In this article, we will demystify "proseguire a", exploring its meaning, grammatical structure, and common mistakes. Get ready to improve your natural speech and feel more confident using "proseguire a" in different contexts, making it a key element in your journey to learning Italian.

Come Usare Proseguire a

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What does “Proseguire a” mean?

  • Literal Meaning: To continue an action or a physical path, to move forward in a certain direction.
    • Example: "Dopo la curva, il sentiero prosegue a salire dolcemente." (The path continues its slope upward).
  • Figurative Meaning: To continue an activity, a process, or a behavior, often with the idea of advancement or following through with something.
    • Example: "Ha deciso di proseguire a studiare per l'esame, nonostante la stanchezza." (He continued the activity of studying).

More: Master Prestare a with Meaning, Examples & Usage in Italian

The Grammatical Structure: How Is It Used?

The verb "proseguire" is typically followed by the preposition "a" when it means "to continue doing something". This combination forms a verbal phrase in which "proseguire" indicates continuation and "a" introduces the action being continued, expressed by a verb in the infinitive.

Formula:[Subject] + proseguire + a + [Verb in the Infinitive]

Examples:

  • "Io proseguo a lavorare sul progetto." (I continue working).
  • "Loro proseguono a discutere la proposta." (They continue discussing).

The preposition "a" is crucial in this construction and must not be omitted. It functions as a bridge between the verb "proseguire" and the following action.

More: Prepararsi a Learn How to Use This Italian Phrasal Verb Effectively

Sentences and Examples with “Proseguire a”

Here are some examples of "proseguire a" in real-life contexts, useful for understanding how to use "proseguire a" and improving your B1 Italian grammar.

📍 Work

Persona A: "Hai finito il rapporto di fine anno?"

Persona B: "Non ancora, devo **proseguire a scriverlo** per almeno un'altra ora, è molto lungo."

📍 Daily Life

Persona A: "Il tuo corso di pittura è difficile? Sembra impegnativo."

Persona B: "Un po', sì, ma mi piace molto, quindi **proseguo a frequentarlo** con entusiasmo."

📍 Family

Persona A: "Vorrei tanto che smettesse di lamentarsi di tutto."

Persona B: "Purtroppo, lui **prosegue a brontolare** anche quando non c'è un vero motivo per farlo."

📍 News

Persona A: "Le trattative per l'accordo sono bloccate o ci sono progressi?"

Persona B: "No, le parti hanno deciso di **proseguire a negoziare** anche se i tempi sono lenti."

Crucial Differences: Common Mistakes to Avoid

A common mistake for those learning Italian is to confuse the use of "proseguire a" with the more generic "continuare". Although both express the idea of going on or not stopping, "proseguire a" carries a specific nuance of advancement or following through with an action already started, often with a goal or clear direction. "Continuare", on the other hand, is broader and can simply indicate the persistence of an action or state.

Proseguire a + Infinitive vs. Continuare a + Infinitive / Continuare + Noun

  • Proseguire a: Used to indicate the continuation of a specific action, emphasizing the fact that you are moving forward in that direction or carrying out a task. It implies a forward movement in the action, often toward completion.
    • Example: "Nonostante la pioggia battente, i costruttori hanno deciso di proseguire a lavorare al nuovo edificio, per non perdere tempo." (Emphasizes the advancement of the work despite the conditions).
  • Continuare a: More versatile and can be used to indicate the persistence or repetition of an action. Sometimes interchangeable with "proseguire a", but more frequently used for generic actions or habits.
    • Example: "Nonostante i richiami, il bambino continua a disegnare sul muro, non ascolta nessuno." (Indicates persistence of the action, perhaps a habit).
    • Example: "Dopo una breve pausa, abbiamo deciso di continuare a camminare verso la cima, il panorama ci aspettava." (Here it is almost interchangeable with "proseguire a camminare", but "continuare" is more common for simple resumption).

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