As we already said there is no rule allowing us to deduce the correct preposition. It is even possible that verbs with a similar if not identical meaning use different prepositions to connect an infinitive.
As a rule of thumb it is possible to say that the reflexive form is connected with the preposition
.
| decidersi = to decide oneself |
|
Mi sono deciso a andare via. |
|
| |
I decided myself to go away. |
| but (non reflexive) decidere = to decide |
| |
Ho deciso di andare via. |
|
| |
I decided to go away. |
| abituarsi = to accustom oneself |
| |
Si è abituato a alzarsi alle sei della mattina. |
|
| |
He accustomed himself to get up at six o' clock in the morning. |
| adattarsi = to accustom |
| |
Non ci siamo mai potuti adattare a doverci alzare alle sei della mattina. |
|
| |
We never accustomed to be obliged to get up at six o'clock in the morning. |
| affanarsi = to strive |
| |
Mi sono affannato a cercare altre informazioni sulla questione della sicurezza dell' amalgama. |
|
| |
I strive to get more information concerning the security of amalgam. |
| affrettarsi = to hurry |
| |
Mi sono affrettato a rispondergli. |
|
| |
I hurried to answer him. |
| aiutare = to help |
| |
L' ho aiutato a trovare un posto di lavoro. |
|
| |
I helped him to find a job. |
| apprendere = to learn |
| |
Non ha ancora appreso a scrivere il suo nome. |
|
| |
He didn't learn already to write his name. |
| arrischiarsi = to dare |
| |
Se si arrischia a farlo, non è cosciente dei rischi. |
|
| |
If he dares to do it, he doesn't know the risks. |
| aspettare = to wait, to hope |
| |
Aspetto a finirlo domani. |
|
| |
I hope to finish it tomorrow. |
| attacare = to start |
| |
Quando attacco a leggere non riesco a smettere. |
|
| |
If I start reading, I can't stop doing it. |
