lanciavo

Lanciavo is the first-person singular imperfect indicative form of the Italian verb lanciare, meaning to throw or to launch. It is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, often within narrative or descriptive contexts. The imperfect tense, including lanciavo, contrasts with tenses like the passato prossimo, which express completed past actions.

Etymology and usage: lanciare derives from the Latin lanciare, related to lancia, meaning spear. The sense shift from throwing or hurling missiles to broader meanings such as launching ideas or projects is common in Italian. Lanciavo can describe physical throwing as well as figurative launching or initiating actions in the past.

Conjugation: lanciavo follows the regular -are verb pattern in the imperfect. Full forms for the singular and plural are: io lanciavo, tu lanciavi, lui/lei lanciava, noi lanciavamo, voi lanciavate, loro lanciavano.

Usage notes: The form is often used in storytelling or recalling past routines. It can be followed by a subordinate clause describing the background action, or paired with the gerund to indicate a progressive past: stavo lanciando or stavo lanciando la palla when describing an ongoing action at a specific moment in the past.

Examples:

- Ieri lanciavo la palla al cane. (Yesterday I was throwing the ball to the dog.)

- Da bambino, lanciavo spesso sassi nel fiume. (As a child, I used to throw stones into the river.)

- In quel periodo, lanciavo una proposta che non fu accettata. (At that time I was making a proposal that was not accepted.)

See also: lanciare, Italian verb conjugation, imperfect tense.