Verbs with Two Possible Auxiliaries
In Italian, some verbs can use either avere or essere in compound tenses. The choice depends on whether the action is directed at an object or describes a change affecting the subject.
How It Works
This pattern is essential for becoming proficient in Italian compound tenses like the passato prossimo.
1. Transitive Use (Avere):
When the subject performs an action on a direct object, use avere. Note that while the participle usually remains unchanged, it must follow the agreement rule if a direct object pronoun precedes it.
Example: Ho cambiato la macchina (I changed the car) vs. L'ho cambiata (I changed it).
2. Intransitive Use (Essere):
When the verb describes a process or change that happens to the subject, use essere. In this case, the past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject.
Example: Il tempo è cambiato (The weather has changed).
3. Verbs of Motion (Correre, Volare, Saltare):
These verbs are unique. Use essere when specifying a destination or origin (focus on the result). Use avere when focusing on the activity itself or its duration.
- Sono corso a casa (I ran home - destination).
- Ho corso per un'ora (I ran for an hour - duration).
4. Weather Verbs:
Verbs like piovere (to rain), nevicare (to snow), and grandinare (to hail) can take either essere or avere without a change in meaning. While essere was traditionally preferred, both are common in modern Italian.
Example: È piovuto tutto il giorno or Ha piovuto tutto il giorno.
5. Modal Verbs and Reflexives:
Modal verbs usually take the auxiliary of the verb that follows them (e.g., Sono dovuto andare). However, in modern Italian, avere is increasingly accepted even with intransitive verbs (Ho dovuto andare).
There are two major exceptions:
- With 'Essere': If the following verb is essere, the auxiliary is always avere: Ho dovuto essere forte.
- With Reflexives: The auxiliary depends on the position of the pronoun. If the pronoun comes before the modal, use essere (Mi sono dovuto lavare). If the pronoun is attached to the infinitive, use avere (Ho dovuto lavarmi).
Examples (6)
- Ho cambiato il numero di telefono.
I changed my phone number.
Word by Word: I have changed the number of telephone.
Transitive use: 'avere' is used because there is a direct object (the number).
- Marco è molto cambiato negli ultimi anni.
Marco has changed a lot in recent years.
Word by Word: Marco is much changed in the last years.
Intransitive use: 'essere' is used because it describes a change of state in the subject (Marco).
- Abbiamo finito il lavoro alle cinque.
We finished the work at five.
Word by Word: We have finished the work at the five.
Transitive use: 'avere' is used because 'the work' is the direct object.
- La lezione è finita dieci minuti fa.
The lesson finished ten minutes ago.
Word by Word: The lesson is finished ten minutes ago.
Intransitive use: 'essere' is used because the lesson itself reached an end (change of state).
- Siamo corsi in stazione per prendere il treno.
We ran to the station to catch the train.
Word by Word: We are run in station for to take the train.
Motion with destination: 'essere' is used because the focus is on reaching the station.
- Stamattina ho corso nel parco.
This morning I ran in the park.
Word by Word: This morning I have run in the park.
Motion as activity: 'avere' is used because the focus is on the physical activity, not a destination.
Common Mistakes
Using 'avere' for an intransitive change of state.
La festa ha iniziata alle otto.La festa è iniziata alle otto.When the subject (the party) is the thing starting, the verb is intransitive and requires 'essere'.
Forgetting participle agreement when using 'essere'.
Giulia è tornato tardi.Giulia è tornata tardi.Whenever 'essere' is the auxiliary, the past participle must match the gender and number of the subject.
Using 'essere' for verbs of motion that focus only on the activity.
Sono viaggiato molto quest'anno.Ho viaggiato molto quest'anno.Verbs like 'viaggiare', 'camminare', and 'nuotare' always take 'avere' because they describe the action itself, not a change of location or destination.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand verbs with two possible auxiliaries, a learner must first be proficient in forming the Passato Prossimo with both 'avere' and 'essere'. They need to recognize the difference between transitive and intransitive usage and apply the correct agreement rules when 'essere' is selected.
Related Patterns
- avere + Past ParticiplePresent Perfect with 'Avere'
The standard auxiliary for transitive verbs in the past tense.
Level 2 - essere + Past ParticiplePresent Perfect with 'Essere'
The auxiliary used for intransitive verbs and changes of state.
Level 2 - potere / dovere / volereModal Verbs (Potere, Dovere, Volere)
Modal verbs inherit the auxiliary of the verb they accompany, which often involves choosing between essere and avere.
Level 1 - Weather Expressions
Weather verbs are a special case where both auxiliaries are often interchangeable in modern Italian.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Sources
Practice Verbs with Two Possible Auxiliaries in Bubblegum
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