dovrei / dovresti
'Dovere' in the Conditional (Advice)
In Italian, using the indicative 'devi' (you must) can sound like a harsh command. To give friendly or polite advice, we use the conditional form 'dovresti' (you should).
How It Works
The present conditional of dovere is the standard way to offer guidance or express probability in Italian.
1. Conjugation:
The stem is irregular (dovr-), followed by conditional endings:
- io dovrei (I should)
- tu dovresti (you should)
- lui/lei dovrebbe (he/she should)
- noi dovremmo (we should)
- voi dovreste (you all should)
- loro dovrebbero (they should)
2. Usage for Advice:
As a modal verb, it is followed directly by an infinitive. It softens the tone of a sentence, making it a recommendation rather than a requirement.
3. Usage for Probability and Rumors:
It is used to express a logical deduction (e.g., Dovrebbe piovere stasera - It should rain tonight). In journalism, it is also used as a conditional for unconfirmed news to report rumors or alleged facts (e.g., Il colpevole dovrebbe essere un uomo di 30 anni - The culprit is allegedly a 30-year-old man).
4. Pronoun Placement:
If you use a pronoun, you can place it before the conjugated verb or attach it to the infinitive:
Lo dovresti fare OR Dovresti farlo (You should do it).
Examples (5)
- Dovresti riposare un po', sembri molto stanco.
You should rest a bit; you look very tired.
Word by Word: You should rest a bit, you seem very tired.
Using 'dovresti' (tu form) makes this a caring suggestion rather than a command.
- Secondo me, dovreste parlarne con il professore.
In my opinion, you (plural) should talk about it with the professor.
Word by Word: According to me, you should speak-of-it with the professor.
The phrase 'secondo me' often accompanies 'dovere' in the conditional to further soften the advice.
- Dovremmo partire presto se vogliamo evitare il traffico.
We should leave early if we want to avoid traffic.
Word by Word: We should depart early if we want to avoid the traffic.
Here, 'dovremmo' suggests a logical course of action for the group.
- Dovrebbe bere più acqua ogni giorno.
You (formal) should drink more water every day.
Word by Word: He/She/You(formal) should drink more water every day.
The third-person singular 'dovrebbe' is used here for a polite, formal suggestion (Lei).
- Dovrebbe essere già a casa a quest'ora.
He should be home already at this time.
Word by Word: He should be already at home at this hour.
In this context, 'dovrebbe' expresses a logical deduction or probability rather than advice.
Common Mistakes
Writing the future 'dovremo' when you mean 'we should'.
Different MeaningDovremo andare dal medico domani.Dovremmo andare dal medico domani.'Dovremo andare dal medico domani' is a good sentence, but the future 'dovremo' (one m) means 'we will have to'. For the softer 'we should', use the conditional 'dovremmo', with a double m.
Using the indicative 'devi' for polite advice.
Different MeaningDevi provare questo ristorante, è buono.Dovresti provare questo ristorante, è buono.While 'devi' is grammatically correct, it can sound bossy. 'Dovresti' is the appropriate choice for a friendly recommendation.
Using the present conditional to express past regrets ('should have').
Dovrei studiare di più ieri.Avrei dovuto studiare di più ieri.To express a regret about the past ('I should have'), you must use the condizionale passato (avrei dovuto). The present conditional 'dovrei' only refers to the present or future.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'dovere' for giving advice, you first need to understand its core meaning as a modal verb. Since 'dovere' uses an irregular stem in the conditional (dovr-), you must be familiar with irregular conditional conjugations. Finally, you need to know how to link a modal verb to a following infinitive to complete the suggestion.
Related Patterns
- potere / dovere / volereModal Verbs (Potere, Dovere, Volere)
This pattern is the conditional application of the modal verb 'dovere'.
Level 1 - Conditional for Polite Requests
Both patterns use the conditional mood to soften language and show politeness.
Level 2 - Clitic Pronoun Placement with the Infinitive
Explains where to put object pronouns when using 'dovresti' with another verb.
Level 3 - Past Conditional for Regret
The past version of this pattern (avresti dovuto) is used to express regret about what 'should have' happened.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Sources
Practice dovrei / dovresti in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Italian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
