Qualifying Statements in Italian: 'in generale', 'per lo più' and 'tendere a'
Learn to soften and qualify Italian statements with in generale, per lo più, di solito and tendere a, so you can say things like 'I mostly agree' without overgeneralising.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
Italian speakers often soften opinions and generalisations rather than stating them absolutely. This lesson teaches four practical qualifiers: in generale ('in general'), per lo più ('mostly, for the most part'), di solito ('usually') and the verb phrase tendere a ('to tend to'). You will learn where each one goes in the sentence, how to agree by degree, and how to avoid the common mistake of translating English 'mostly' word for word.
By the end, you can…
- qualify a general statement using in generale and per lo più.
- use tendere a plus an infinitive to describe typical behaviour.
- express partial agreement in Italian without sounding absolute.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
In generale, sono d'accordo.
In general, I agree.
een djeh-neh-RAH-leh, SOH-noh dahk-KOR-doh
A neutral, slightly formal opener for opinions in meetings, essays or polite discussion.
Per lo più sono d'accordo.
I mostly agree.
pehr loh PEW, SOH-noh dahk-KOR-doh
Signals partial agreement: you accept the main point but not every detail. Common in conversation.
Di solito lavoro da casa.
I usually work from home.
dee SOH-lee-toh lah-VOH-roh dah KAH-zah
Describes a habitual routine, not a rule. Very frequent in everyday spoken Italian.
Tendo a fidarmi poco delle previsioni.
I tend not to trust forecasts much.
TEN-doh ah fee-DAR-mee POH-koh DEL-leh preh-vee-ZYOH-nee
tendere a + infinitive describes a personal tendency; the subject changes the verb ending.
Gli italiani tendono a parlare con le mani.
Italians tend to talk with their hands.
lyee ee-tah-LYAH-nee TEN-doh-noh ah par-LAH-reh kon leh MAH-nee
Third-person plural tendono for a group tendency. Use with care: it is a generalisation, not a fact about every individual.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Place in generale and per lo più at the start of a sentence, followed by a comma: In generale, preferisco il treno ('In general, I prefer the train'); Per lo più esco con amici ('I mostly go out with friends'). Di solito works the same way: Di solito ceno alle otto. Tendere a is different: it is a verb followed by an infinitive, and it must agree with its subject: tendo a, tendi a, tende a, tendiamo a, tendete a, tendono a. Example: Marco tende a rimandare tutto ('Marco tends to put everything off').
When to use it
Use in generale for broad statements where exceptions are possible, and per lo più when you mean 'in most cases' or partial agreement: Per lo più sono d'accordo, ma non su tutto ('I mostly agree, but not on everything'). Di solito describes routine behaviour: Di solito arrivo in ritardo? No, di solito arrivo puntuale. Tendere a is ideal for habits and tendencies: Tendo a dimenticare i nomi. In formal writing, tendenzialmente ('tendentially') is also common: Tendenzialmente sono d'accordo. Avoid stacking qualifiers in one short sentence; one is usually enough.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Allora, sei d'accordo con la proposta?
So, do you agree with the proposal?ahl-LOH-rah, seh ee dahk-KOR-doh kon lah proh-POH-stahPer lo più sì, ma in generale preferirei più tempo.
Mostly yes, but in general I would prefer more time.pehr loh PEW see, mah een djeh-neh-RAH-leh preh-feh-ree-REH-ee pyoo TEM-pohCapisco. Di solito le decisioni richiedono tempo.
I understand. Usually decisions take time.kah-PEES-koh. dee SOH-lee-toh leh deh-chee-ZYOH-nee ree-KYEH-doh-noh TEM-pohSì, e tendo a essere prudente.
Yes, and I tend to be cautious.see, eh TEN-doh ah ES-seh-reh proo-DEN-tehA little context goes a long way
In Italian professional and academic settings, qualifiers such as in generale and tendenzialmente sound measured and polite, while per lo più is more conversational. Regional usage varies: in the north, di solito is extremely common in speech; in the south, constructions with solitamente or the imperfect (di solito uscivo) may appear more often. None of these is more 'correct' than the others.
One thing to watch for
Translating 'I mostly agree' as Sono maggiormente d'accordo or Sono per la maggior parte d'accordo.
Try this instead: Use Per lo più sono d'accordo for partial agreement. Maggiormente means 'to a greater degree' and compares intensity, not frequency: Sono maggiormente interessato ('I am more interested'). Per la maggior parte usually refers to a majority of people or things, not to your own partial agreement.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Translate: 'In general, Italians tend to eat late.'
Show a sample answer
In generale, gli italiani tendono a mangiare tardi.
In generale opens the sentence, and tendono agrees with the plural subject gli italiani. Tendenzialmente, gli italiani mangiano tardi is also acceptable but shifts the meaning slightly toward a tendency rather than a general rule.
2Which qualifier fits a routine: 'I usually take the bus'?
Show a sample answer
Di solito prendo l'autobus.
Di solito marks habitual behaviour. Solitamente is a valid formal alternative; per lo più would suggest 'for the most part', which is less natural for a simple routine.
3Correct the error: Tendo a sono prudente.
Show a sample answer
Tendo a essere prudente.
Tendere a must be followed by an infinitive, not a conjugated verb. Tendo a essere prudente means 'I tend to be cautious'. You could also say Sono tendenzialmente prudente.
Use in generale and per lo più to soften general statements, di solito for routines, and tendere a plus an infinitive for tendencies. One qualifier per sentence is usually enough.
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