Verbs: Perfect Tense

01

Choosing the Auxiliary Verb: 'Avere' or 'Essere'

The choice of auxiliary verb is not random and depends on the main verb.

When to use avere

Avere is used with most verbs, specifically transitive verbs. A transitive verb is one that takes a direct object, meaning the action is done to someone or something. You can find the direct object by asking "what?" or "whom?" after the verb.

• Ho mangiato una pizza.

  I ate a pizza. (I ate what? A pizza.)

• Abbiamo visto un film.

  We watched a movie. (We watched what? A movie.)

• Laura ha chiamato Marco.

  Laura called Marco. (Laura called whom? Marco.)

When to use essere

Essere is used with most intransitive verbs (verbs that do not take a direct object), which often fall into these categories:

• Verbs of movement: andare (to go), venire (to come), partire (to leave), arrivare (to arrive), entrare (to enter), uscire (to go out), tornare (to return).

• Sono andato a Roma.

  I went to Rome.

• A che ora siete tornati?

  What time did you all return?

• Verbs of state or being: essere (to be), stare (to stay/be), rimanere (to remain).

• Siamo stati in silenzio.

  We were silent.

• È rimasta a casa.

  She remained at home.

• Verbs of change of state: nascere (to be born), morire (to die), diventare (to become), crescere (to grow up).

• Mio nonno è nato nel 1950.

  My grandfather was born in 1950.

• La pianta è cresciuta molto.

  The plant has grown a lot.

• Reflexive verbs: These verbs describe an action the subject does to itself, like svegliarsi (to wake oneself up) or lavarsi (to wash oneself). They always use essere.

• Mi sono svegliato tardi.

  I woke up late.

• Vi siete divertiti alla festa?

  Did you all have fun at the party?

02

Verbs That Use Both 'Avere' and 'Essere'

Some verbs, like finire (to finish), cominciare (to begin), or passare (to pass), can use either auxiliary. The choice depends on whether the verb is used transitively (with a direct object) or intransitively (without one).

• Use avere when there is a direct object.

• Ho finito il libro.

  I finished the book.

• Abbiamo passato una bella serata.

  We spent a nice evening.

• Use essere when there is no direct object and the verb describes a change or movement.

• La lezione è finita.

  The lesson has finished.

• Sono passato a trovarti.

  I passed by to visit you.

03

Forming the Past Participle

The past participle is formed by changing the ending of the infinitive verb.

Regular Verbs

• Verbs ending in -are change to -ato: parlare → parlato
• Verbs ending in -ere change to -uto: vendere → venduto
• Verbs ending in -ire change to -ito: dormire → dormito

Common Irregular Verbs

Many common verbs have irregular past participles that must be memorized.

• essere → stato
• fare → fatto
• dire → detto
• leggere → letto
• scrivere → scritto
• aprire → aperto
• chiudere → chiuso
• prendere → preso
• vedere → visto
• mettere → messo

• Cosa hai detto?

  What did you say?

• Ho letto questo giornale.

  I have read this newspaper.

04

Agreement of the Past Participle

The ending of the past participle sometimes changes to agree with the subject or object of the sentence.

Agreement with essere

When using essere, the past participle must always agree in gender and number with the subject. It behaves like an adjective.

• -o for masculine singular
• -a for feminine singular
• -i for masculine plural
• -e for feminine plural

• Paolo è partito.

  Paolo (masc. sing.) has left.

• Anna è partita.

  Anna (fem. sing.) has left.

• Paolo e Luca sono partiti.

  Paolo and Luca (masc. pl.) have left.

• Anna e Maria sono partite.

  Anna and Maria (fem. pl.) have left.

Agreement with avere

Usually, the past participle does not change when used with avere.

• Ho mangiato la mela.

  I ate the apple.

• Ho mangiato i biscotti.

  I ate the cookies.

However, the participle must agree with the direct object if the direct object is a pronoun (lo, la, li, le) that comes before the verb.

• Hai comprato la pasta?

  Yes, I bought it. ("comprata" agrees with "la pasta")

• Hai visto i miei occhiali?

  Yes, I saw them on the table. ("visti" agrees with "gli occhiali")