Mara Ballarini Nov 24, 2009:

"In English, ladies, you return or reimburse money/ies received" - that's clear, Alison - My post was in reply to Ambra's attempt to "back translate" from "to return", and I also didn't understand the reason for it, but I thought it confusing, so I was trying to give an explanation on what I think it's meant in the sentence given, also stating why I think it couldn't have been something else...
if this isn't even more confusing :-)

Alison Kennedy Nov 24, 2009:

In English, ladies, you return or reimburse money/ies received. I can't follow your literal discusion of the back translation of "return".
Alison

Mara Ballarini Nov 24, 2009:

l'originale in italiano usa la forma più comune dell'infinito, che non mi sembra possa essere utilizzata correttamente allo stesso modo in inglese qui, quindi inutile pensare al significato dell'inglese 'to return', bisogna pensare invece a capire cosa implica l'infinito italiano. se avessero voluto dire 'I have returned' avrebbero usato 'aver ritornato', utilizzando l'infinito semplice, la scelta resta tra presente e futuro - siccome il present continuous in inglese può essere usato per indicare entrambi (something I doing now together with this declaration, or something I'm about to do in the near future), il problema non si pone nemmeno, basta usare il present continuous 'I am returning'.
My two cents

Ambra Giuliani Nov 24, 2009:

The text literally says: "to return" which sounds like something he "will do". If it is "I am returning" would'n t the text say: "sto ritornando" (which is never used) or "di aver ritornato" (most often used). What is the context of the document?

Mara Ballarini Nov 24, 2009:

you're welcome!

RProsser (asker) Nov 24, 2009:

Ahhh, I see. Thankyou!!!

Mara Ballarini Nov 24, 2009:

he's declaring that he IS returning the money