How to correctly choose the auxiliary verb in Italian

Choosing Essere or Avere for Constructing Complex Tenses in Italian

In Italian, choosing the auxiliary verb (ausiliare) for forming complex tenses can be a challenging task for beginners. However, there are several general principles that can help you navigate this topic more easily and reduce mistakes.

Main Auxiliary Verbs

The Italian language uses two auxiliary verbs to form complex tenses: essere («to be») and avere («to have»). These verbs are combined with the past participle (participio passato) of the main verb to create complex forms, such as passato prossimo, trapassato prossimo, and more.

General Rules for Choosing the Auxiliary Verb

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs:

For transitive verbs, which have a direct object (the answer to the question «what?» or «whom?»), the auxiliary verb avere is usually used.

For example:

• Ho mangiato la pizza. (I ate the pizza.)
• Hai visto il film? (Have you seen the movie?)

For intransitive verbs, which do not have a direct object, essere is most often used.

For example:

• Sono arrivato in tempo. (I arrived on time.)
• Siamo partiti alle nove. (We left at nine.)

Verbs of Motion and Change of State:

The auxiliary verb essere is also used with intransitive verbs that denote motion (coming, going, ascending, falling, etc.) or change of state (being born, dying, becoming).

Examples:

• Sono andato a casa. (I went home.)
• È nato ieri. (He was born yesterday.)
• Siamo diventati amici. (We became friends.)

Reflexive Verbs:

All reflexive verbs use the auxiliary verb essere. These verbs end in "-si" in the infinitive and indicate an action directed at oneself.

For example:

• Mi sono svegliato presto. (I woke up early.)
• Si è lavata le mani. (She washed her hands.)

Impersonal Verbs:

Some impersonal verbs, like those describing weather conditions (piovere – «to rain», nevicare – «to snow»), can use both avere and essere, depending on the context and region.

For example:

• Ha piovuto tutta la notte. (It rained all night.)
• È nevicato molto. (It snowed heavily.)

Exceptions and Special Cases

The Italian language has several exceptions where the choice of auxiliary verb does not follow the general rules. Some intransitive verbs traditionally use avere or convey meanings that express a state rather than an action.

An example is the verb camminare («to walk»), which uses avere:

• Ho camminato per due ore. (I walked for two hours.)

Conclusion

To correctly choose the auxiliary verb in Italian, it's important to consider the nature of the verb (transitive or intransitive), its meaning (motion, state, reflexivity), and any possible exceptions. Practice and memorizing the nuances will help you navigate this topic with greater ease.