Italian conjugation explanation

Which auxiliary verb to use for 'dovere'?

<p>The verb

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ita/dovere/" title="Click to see conjugations for dovere" target="_blank">dovere</a>

usually functions as a modal verb meaning <span style="font-style: italic;">to have to</span> or <span style="font-style: italic;">must</span>. However, it can also function as a standalone transitive verb meaning <span style="font-style: italic;">to owe</span>.</p>

<p>The choice of auxiliary verb (<span style="font-style: italic;">avere</span> or <span style="font-style: italic;">essere</span>) in compound tenses (like the

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/study/tenseGuideForTense/123/" target="_blank">Passato prossimo</a>

) depends on how the verb is used.</p>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Meaning "to owe"</div>

<p>When

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ita/dovere/" title="Click to see conjugations for dovere" target="_blank">dovere</a>

means <span style="font-style: italic;">to owe</span>, it is transitive (it takes a direct object, usually money or a favor). In this case, it always uses the auxiliary

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ita/avere/" title="Click to see conjugations for avere" target="_blank">avere</a>

.</p>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Non ti <span class="green_emphasis">ho</span> mai <span class="green_emphasis">dovuto</span> dei soldi. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I never owed you any money.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Meaning "to have to" (Modal Verb)</div>

<p>When

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ita/dovere/" title="Click to see conjugations for dovere" target="_blank">dovere</a>

is used as a modal verb similar to

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/conjugationExplanation/italian_auxiliary_verb_potere/" target="_blank">potere</a>

and

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/conjugationExplanation/italian_auxiliary_verb_volere/" target="_blank">volere</a>

, it is followed by an infinitive. The general rule is that <strong>dovere takes the auxiliary verb of the infinitive that follows it</strong>.</p>

<p>If the following verb uses <strong style="font-style: italic;">avere</strong>, then <span style="font-style: italic;">dovere</span> uses <strong style="font-style: italic;">avere</strong>.</p>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><span class="green_emphasis">Ho dovuto</span> <span class="brown_emphasis">mostrare</span> loro i passaporti. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I had to show them the passports.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence_note">The verb

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ita/mostrare/" title="Click to see conjugations for mostrare" target="_blank">mostrare</a>

uses <span style="font-style: italic;">avere</span>.</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><span class="green_emphasis">Abbiamo dovuto</span> <span class="brown_emphasis">aspettarlo</span> per dieci minuti. (<span style="font-style: italic;">We had to wait for him for ten minutes.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence_note">The verb

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ita/aspettare/" title="Click to see conjugations for aspettare" target="_blank">aspettare</a>

uses <span style="font-style: italic;">avere</span>.</div>

<p>If the following verb uses <strong style="font-style: italic;">essere</strong> (usually verbs of motion or state), then <span style="font-style: italic;">dovere</span> uses <strong style="font-style: italic;">essere</strong>. In this case, the past participle <span style="font-style: italic;">dovuto</span> must agree in gender and number with the subject.</p>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Io <span class="green_emphasis">sono dovuto</span> <span class="brown_emphasis">andare</span> al pronto soccorso. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I had to go to the emergency room.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence_note">The verb

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ita/andare/" title="Click to see conjugations for andare" target="_blank">andare</a>

uses <span style="font-style: italic;">essere</span>.</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Perché <span class="green_emphasis">è dovuto</span> <span class="brown_emphasis">succedere</span> a me? (<span style="font-style: italic;">Why did it have to happen to me?</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence_note">The verb

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ita/succedere/" title="Click to see conjugations for succedere" target="_blank">succedere</a>

uses <span style="font-style: italic;">essere</span>.</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Exception with Essere</div>

<p>Despite the rule above, if the infinitive following <span style="font-style: italic;">dovere</span> is

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ita/essere/" title="Click to see conjugations for essere" target="_blank">essere</a>

itself, the auxiliary used is always <strong style="font-style: italic;">avere</strong>.</p>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Daniele <span class="green_emphasis">ha dovuto</span> <span class="brown_emphasis">essere</span> ricoverato in ospedale. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Daniele had to be hospitalized.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Reflexive Verbs</div>

<p>When

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ita/dovere/" title="Click to see conjugations for dovere" target="_blank">dovere</a>

is used with a reflexive verb, the position of the reflexive pronoun determines the choice of auxiliary.</p>

<ul>

<li>

<div>If the pronoun is placed <strong>before</strong> the conjugated verb, use <strong style="font-style: italic;">essere</strong>.</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Perché <span class="brown_emphasis">si</span> <span class="green_emphasis">è dovuto</span> nascondere da noi? (<span style="font-style: italic;">Why did he have to hide from us?</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div>If the pronoun is attached to the <strong>end</strong> of the infinitive, use <strong style="font-style: italic;">avere</strong>.</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><span class="green_emphasis">Avrebbe dovuto</span> lavar<span class="brown_emphasis">si</span> i denti. (<span style="font-style: italic;">He should have brushed his teeth.</span>)</div>

</li>

</ul>

<p>See also

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/conjugationExplanation/italian_wrong_auxiliary_verb_for_reflexive/" target="_blank">Wrong auxiliary verb in reflexive verb form</a>

.</p>