Ne

Question 1

Uses of “ne”

Answer 1

(1) substitute for a previously-mentioned person, thing, or phrase that was introduced by “di”, or that “ne” refers to in connection with a verb that takes “di” (“di” being implied).
(2) substitute for person, thing, or phrase that uses “da” in the passive voice, or that is a phrase of direction using “da”.
(3) refer to part of a quantity of something previously mentioned.
(3) part of idiomatic verbs.
(5) added for emphasis in some expressions.

Question 2

Questions to tell when to use “ne” when replacing person, place, or thing

Answer 2

“Ne” answers the questions di chi? di che cosa? da chi? da che cosa?

Question 3

Ne referring to quantity

Answer 3

(1) “Ne” is used to refer to part of a quantity of something. (2) When “ne” refers to a quantity In passato prossimo, the past participle must agree in number and gender with the thing referred to. (3) But when the quantity is zero, the past participle agrees in gender only with the thing mentioned, and is singular.

Question 4

How many biscotti did you eat? I ate only two [of them].

Answer 4

Quanti biscotti ha mangiato? Ne ho mangiati solo due.

Question 5

I bought seven magazines, but I read only two [of them].

Answer 5

Ho comprato sette riviste, ma ne ho lette solo due.

Question 6

How many coffees did you drink? I didn’t drink any.

Answer 6

Quanti caffè hai bevuto? Non ne ho bevuto nessuno.

Question 7

How many shirts did you buy? I didn’t buy any.

Answer 7

Quante camicie hai comprato? Non ne ho comprata nessuno.

Question 8

Do you want a coffe? Yes, I would like two.

Answer 8

Prendi un caffè? Si, ne vorrei due.

Question 9

I would like to buy some prosciutto. How much do you want?

Answer 9

Vorrei comprare del prosciutto. Quanto ne vorrebbe?

Question 10

How many apples did you buy? I bought eight.

Answer 10

Quante mele hai comprato? Ne ho comprate otto.

Question 11

How many children do you have? I have two.

Answer 11

Quanti figlie ha? Ne ho due.

Question 12

Do you want some ice cream? Yes, I want a little.

Answer 12

Vuoi del gelato? Si, ne vorrei un po’.

Question 13

“Ne” as a substitute for people, things, phrases taking “di”

Answer 13

(1) substitute for a previously-mentioned person, thing, or phrase that was introduced by “di”, or that is referred to by “ne” linked with a verb that takes “di” (the “di” being implied by the use of “ne”). (2) usually meaning “di lui”, “di lei”, “di loro”, etc.

Question 14

I know Rita and I admire her generosity.

Answer 14

Conosco Rita, e ne ammiro la generosità. (meaning the generosity of hers; this is the same as “la sua generosità)

Question 15

Yesterday I had a problem at work, and I talked to Valerie about it.

Answer 15

Ieri ho avuto un problema al lavora, e ne ho parlato con Valerie.

Question 16

I went to the office at 9, and I only got out now.

Answer 16

Sono andato all ufficio alle nove, e ne sono uscito sola ora. (“ne” means of the office; uscire takes “da”)

Question 17

Do you feel like going to the cinema? No, I don’t feel like it. (use “avere voglia di”)

Answer 17

Hai voglia di andare al cinema? No, non ne ho voglia.

(Because the expression is “avere voglia di – to have the want of, meaning to feel like – you can use “ne”)
BUT
Vuoi andare al cinema? No, non voglio andarci.

Question 18

Are you proud of their success? Yes, we are proud of it.

Answer 18

Sieti orgogliosi del loro successo? Sì, ne siamo orgogliosi

Question 19

“Ne” replacing nouns and phrases using “da” in the passive voice.

Answer 19

(1) “Ne” replaces nouns and phrases that use “da” in the passive voice of the verb. (2) the passive voice is: essere + past participle (of transitive verb) + da me, te, lui, lei, etc.

Question 20

Were you disgusted by their behavior? Yes, we were disgusted.

Answer 20

Sieti rimasti disgustati dal loro comportamento? Si, ne siamo remasti disgustati. (using “da” with a verb in the passive voice)

Question 21

I read the book, and was bowled over by it.

Answer 21

Ho letto il libro, e ne sono stato conquistato.

Question 22

When did you get back from Rome? I got back yesterday.

Answer 22

Quando sei tornato da Roma? Ne sono tornato ieri.

Question 23

“Ne” with phrases of direction using “da”

Answer 23

“Ne” is used with phrases of direction away from a location using “da”, usually with “tornare da” or “uscire da”.

Question 24

to be worth it

Answer 24

valerne la pena

Question 25

to not care about it/that

Answer 25

non importarsene (used in the passive sense; “non me ne importa”)

Question 26

to go away, leave

Answer 26

andarsene (also andare via)

Question 27

to hang around

Answer 27

starsene a

Question 28

it’s not worth it.

Answer 28

Non ne vale la pena.

Question 29

I don’t care about it.

Answer 29

Non me ne importa.

Question 30

I’m leaving

Answer 30

Me ne vado.

Question 31

I’m hanging around home tonight.

Answer 31

Me ne sto a casa stasera.

Question 32

to not to be able to manage/do it anymore

Answer 32

non poterne più

Question 33

I can’t do it anymore.

Answer 33

No ne posso più.

Question 34

Do we care about it?

Answer 34

Ce ne importa?