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Understanding Italian Auxiliary Verbs
Auxiliary verbs in Italian are special verbs that help other verbs to show different times or moods. They are like little helpers that make sentences complete.
Important Points
The two main auxiliary verbs in Italian are 'essere' (to be) and 'avere' (to have).
Auxiliary verbs are used to form compound tenses.
They help express actions that have happened, are happening, or will happen.
When to Use 'Essere' and 'Avere'
'Essere' is used with verbs that show movement or change of state, like going or becoming. 'Avere' is used with most other verbs.
Examples
Io sono andato a scuola. (I have gone to school.)
Lei ha mangiato una mela. (She has eaten an apple.)
Noi siamo diventati amici. (We have become friends.)
Forming the Past Tense with Auxiliary Verbs
To talk about things that happened in the past, we use auxiliary verbs with the past participle of the main verb. This is called the passato prossimo.
Important Points
Combine 'essere' or 'avere' with the past participle to form the passato prossimo.
The past participle is like a special form of the verb that shows past action.
Examples
Loro hanno giocato a calcio. (They have played soccer.)
Tu sei arrivato presto. (You have arrived early.)
Io ho letto un libro. (I have read a book.)
Agreement with 'Essere'
When using 'essere' as the auxiliary verb, the past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject. This means it changes form to match who is doing the action.
Examples
Lei è andata al mercato. (She has gone to the market.)
Loro sono tornati a casa. (They have returned home.)
Noi siamo stati felici. (We have been happy.)
Using Auxiliary Verbs for Future and Conditional Tenses
Auxiliary verbs also help form future and conditional tenses, showing actions that will happen or could happen.
Important Points
For the future tense, use the future form of 'essere' or 'avere'.
For the conditional mood, use the conditional form of 'essere' or 'avere'.
Examples
Io avrò finito il lavoro. (I will have finished the work.)
Tu saresti felice qui. (You would be happy here.)
Loro avranno comprato la casa. (They will have bought the house.)
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