ESSERE or AVERE? This is the question! In Italian, there are two irregular verbs, that function as auxiliary verbs in compound tenses (e.g. in the present perfect): essere and avere. These two verbs are called auxiliary verbs from the Latin word auxilium, which means \u201chelp\u201d. Essere and avere are a crucial part of any language, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9894,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"\n
ESSERE or AVERE? This is the question! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Italian, there are two irregular verbs, that function as auxiliary verbs in compound tenses (e.g. in the present perfect): essere and avere.<\/b> These two verbs are called auxiliary verbs from the Latin word auxilium, which means \u201chelp\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Essere and avere are a crucial part of any language, these two Italian verbs can be considered the most useful two verbs for their versatility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the present tense, they mean exactly essere \u201cto be\u201d <\/b>and avere \u201cto have\u201d<\/b> but when they are used in the past tense they are called \u201cauxiliary verbs\u201d; because they \u201chelp\u201d in the formation of compound tenses (\u201cessere\u201d + the past participle of a verb, \u201cavere\u201d + the past participle of a verb) and the passive construction (\u201cessere\u201d + a verb)<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Importance of Essere and Avere<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Firstly, these two words are important because when we are learning a new language we start by learning them, since they are two of\u00a0the most common verbs in a language.<\/strong> They are used in a wide variety of situations and serve as a grammatical aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEvery Italian student starts by speaking only in the present tense \u2014 that is, about what is happening in the \u201chere and now.\u201d But what if we want to refer back to an event that has happened in the recent past, such as this morning, yesterday, or last year? Well, then, he will have to learn how to form the passato prossimo <\/strong>AND FOR THIS TENSE HE WILL NEED \u201cESSERE\u201d E \u201cAVERE\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Conjugations of Essere and Avere<\/h2>\n\n\n\n While these two verbs end in -ere<\/em> (a regular verb ending), they are, in fact, irregular in the present tense. Not to worry, though: once you learn them, they can be used practically everywhere and you won\u2019t be able to forget them!<\/p>\n\n\n\nCheck out their full conjugations in the present tense:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Essere<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSingular<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\nItalian<\/strong><\/td>English<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>Io sono <\/td> I am<\/td><\/tr> Tu sei<\/td> You are<\/td><\/tr> Lui, lei \u00e9 <\/td> He, she is<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nPlural <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nItalian<\/strong><\/td>English<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>Io sono <\/td> I am<\/td><\/tr> Tu sei<\/td> You are<\/td><\/tr> Lui, lei \u00e9 <\/td> He, she is<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAvere <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSingular<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nItalian <\/strong><\/td>English<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr>Io ho<\/td> I have<\/td><\/tr> Tu hai<\/td> You have<\/td><\/tr> Lui, lei ha<\/td> He, she has<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nPlural<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\nItalian <\/strong><\/td>English<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr>Noi abbiamo<\/td> We have<\/td><\/tr> Voi avete<\/td> You have<\/td><\/tr> Loro hanno<\/td> The have<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRemember that in Italian, unlike in English, the use of personal pronouns like io (I), tu (you) etc. with verbs is not required.
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Let\u2019s see first verb: ESSERE<\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe present tense (present)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The verb \u201cessere\u201d has multiple uses. Thanks to this Italian verb we can\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Introduce ourselves or someone else<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Sono Maria \u2013 I am Maria
Talk about nationality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Sono americano \u2013 I am American
Talk about feelings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Sono arrabbiata \u2013 I am angry
Use it as an auxiliary in Passato Prossimo<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s see some examples of this case<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The auxiliary essere is used<\/em><\/strong> with several verbs that do not have an object.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nSiamo andati a casa - <\/strong>We went home.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nIt is also used with reflexive verbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nSi \u00e8 pettinata i capelli - <\/strong>She brushed her hair.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s see second verb: AVERE<\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe present tense (presente)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n \u201cAvere\u201d means \u201cto have\u201d and is arguably the second most useful verb in the Italian language. It is use for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Talk about someone\u2019s age<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Hai 20 anni \u2013 You are 20 years\u2019 old<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ho 76 anni \u2013 I am 76 years\u2019 old<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With fixed expressions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Avere fame \u2013 to be hungry <\/strong>fretta \u2013 to be in a hurryUse it as an auxiliary in Passato Prossimo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The auxiliary avere is used<\/strong> with several verbs that have an object.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nLui ha mangiato una mela.<\/strong> - He ate an apple.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nIt is also used with some verbs that denote movement and that do not have an object.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nHo camminato - <\/strong> I walked.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nHow to Choose Between Avere and Essere<\/h2>\n\n\n\n While there are a handful of exceptions, you choose \u201cessere\u201d<\/strong> with<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nverbs that describe movement,<\/em><\/strong> a state of being, or a condition, like \u201candare \u2013 to go,\u201d \u201cuscire \u2013 to go out,\u201d or \u201csuccedere \u2013 to happen.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\nReflexive verbs<\/strong>, like \u201calzarsi \u2013 to get up\u201d are always conjugated with \u201cessere.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\u201cAvere\u201d<\/strong> is typically used with<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nall other verbs, like \u201cparlare \u2013 to speak,\u201d \u201cmangiare \u2013 to eat,\u201d or \u201cimparare \u2013 to learn.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n To communicate successfully you definitely need more than two Italian verbs. And yet, every language learner has to start somewhere.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nRegardless of your level, make sure that you can conjugate these two Italian verbs correctly. And remember practice, practice and practice, and do make short sentences so you do not forget the rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have questions? (The more you ask, the more you learn.) Leave a comment below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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