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

Learning Italian often means dealing with expressions that seem simple but hide important nuances. One of these is the phrasal verb "provare a". Have you ever wanted to say "to try to do something" and didn’t know which preposition to use? Many students, from level A2 to B2, find it confusing. In this article, we’ll explore in detail the meaning of "provare a", its grammatical structure, look at practical examples, and help you avoid the most common mistakes. Get ready to communicate in Italian with more confidence!

Table of Contents

• What Does "Provare a" Mean?
• The Grammatical Structure: How Is It Used?
• Sentences and Examples with "Provare a"
• Crucial Differences: Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Similar or Related Expressions

What Does "Provare a" Mean?

• Literal Meaning: Attempting to perform a physical action or experiment.
  • Example: "Devo provare a sollevare questo peso."
• Figurative Meaning: Trying to achieve a goal, face a challenge, or experience something new.
  • Example: "Ho deciso di provare a cambiare lavoro."

More: Learn How to Use Procedere a for Clear Italian Communication

The Grammatical Structure: How Is It Used?

The structure of "provare a" is simple and straightforward:

[Subject] + provare a + [Verb in the infinitive]

The preposition "a" is essential in this construction. It indicates the direction or purpose of the action being attempted. The verb following "a" must always be in the infinitive.

Examples:

• Io provo a studiare. (I try to study)
• Loro provano a capire. (They try to understand)
• Tu provi a cucinare. (You try to cook)

It’s important to remember that "provare" is a regular verb of the first conjugation (-are), so it conjugates normally. The difficulty lies only in the preposition "a" that links it to the following action.

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

Sentences and Examples with "Provare a"

📍 Coffee with friends

Persona A: "Non sono sicuro di voler andare stasera, sono stanco."

Persona B: "Dai, **prova a** venire per un'ora, se non ti piace, torni a casa."

📍 Exam preparation

Persona A: "Non credo di riuscire a imparare tutti questi argomenti per l'esame."

Persona B: "Non scoraggiarti! **Prova a** studiare il capitolo più difficile per primo."

📍 New sport

Persona A: "Vorrei iniziare un nuovo hobby, ma non so cosa."

Persona B: "Perché non **provi a** giocare a tennis? È divertente!"

📍 Technical problem

Persona A: "Il mio computer non si accende più, non so cosa fare."

Persona B: "Hai già **provato a** riavviarlo tenendo premuto il pulsante?"

📍 Recipe in the kitchen

Persona A: "Questa ricetta di torta è molto complicata, ho paura di sbagliare."

Persona B: "Non preoccuparti, **prova a** seguire attentamente tutti i passaggi, vedrai che ce la fai!"

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

Crucial Differences: Common Mistakes to Avoid

A very common mistake for Italian learners is confusing "provare a" (to try to do something) with the simple verb "provare" used transitively (to try/test/taste something).

Provare a + Infinitive Vs. Provare + Noun/Pronoun

• "Provare a + [Verb in the infinitive]": Means attempting to perform an action.

  • Example: "Devi provare a parlare più lentamente." (Attempting the action of speaking)

• "Provare + [Noun/Pronoun]": Means to test, taste, or wear something.

  • Example: "Voglio provare quel vestito." (To wear/test the dress)
  • Example: "Hai provato la torta?" (To taste the cake)
  • Example: "Provo gioia quando ti vedo." (To feel/experience an emotion)

Remember: If a verb follows "provare", the preposition "a" is almost always needed. If a noun follows, the preposition is not needed, because the verb is used in a direct transitive sense.

According to Garzanti Linguistica, the verb "provare" has multiple meanings, but its use with the preposition "a" is specific to indicate the attempt to perform an action.

Similar or Related Expressions

There are other expressions that can be used as synonyms or with meanings very close to "provare a":

Conclusion

"Provare a" is an essential phrasal verb for anyone who wants to communicate naturally in Italian. Remember that it means "to try to do something" and always requires the preposition "a" followed by a verb in the infinitive. Avoid confusing it with the simple transitive "provare". We hope this guide has helped you better understand and correctly use "provare a" in your daily conversations.

Now it’s your turn! Provare a write a sentence in the comments using "provare a" to practice. We’re curious to read them!