Italian Phrase
Sto controllando le pareti e i pavimenti.
Meaning
The speaker is currently inspecting or checking both the walls and the floors, often in the context of a house inspection, renovation, or cleaning routine. The phrase emphasizes that the action is happening right now.
When to use
Use this sentence when you are physically examining a room or building, for example during a property viewing, a construction site walk‑through, or while cleaning and making sure everything is in order.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Stocontrollandoleparetieipavimenti
Present Continuous (Sto + Gerundio)
In Italian, the present continuous is formed with the verb 'stare' conjugated in the present tense followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ando or -endo).
Article Agreement
Definite articles must agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify: 'le' for feminine plural (pareti) and 'i' for masculine plural (pavimenti).
Conjunction 'e'
The conjunction 'e' (and) links two nouns of different genders without changing their articles.
🗨In Conversation
Sto controllando le pareti e i pavimenti.
I’m checking the walls and the floors.
Hai trovato qualche crepa o danno?
Did you find any cracks or damage?
✕Common Mistakes
Sono controllando le pareti e i pavimenti.
Use 'sto' (the present of 'stare') with a gerund, not 'sono' which is the present of 'essere'.
Sto controllare le pareti e i pavimenti.
The gerund form is required after 'sto'; 'controllare' is the infinitive.
Sto controllando le pareti e il pavimenti.
The article must agree with the noun's gender and number: 'i' for masculine plural 'pavimenti'.
↔Alternatives
Sto ispezionando le pareti e i pavimenti.
I’m inspecting the walls and the floors.
Controllo le pareti e i pavimenti.
I check the walls and the floors.
Sto verificando le pareti e i pavimenti.
I’m verifying the walls and the floors.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, a thorough inspection of walls (pareti) and floors (pavimenti) is a standard part of buying or renting a property. Italians often ask for a 'certificato di abitabilità' (certificate of habitability) which confirms that the building meets safety standards. When speaking with locals, using the present continuous (sto + gerundio) sounds natural and conveys that the inspection is happening at that moment.