{"id":17106,"date":"2016-06-14T00:15:02","date_gmt":"2016-06-13T15:15:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dante-learning.com\/eng\/?p=17106"},"modified":"2026-04-22T03:44:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T18:44:31","slug":"italian-modal-verbs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dante-learning.com\/eng\/italian-modal-verbs\/","title":{"rendered":"Italian Modal Verbs: 4 Essential Rules for Fluent Speaking"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>In short:<\/strong> <em>Italian modal verbs (<\/em>i verbi modali<em>) are <\/em>dovere<em>, <\/em>potere<em>, <\/em>volere<em>, and <\/em>sapere<em>: four irregular verbs that pair with an infinitive to express obligation, possibility, desire, and learned ability. In this guide you&#8217;ll see how each one conjugates, how they pair with reflexive verbs, how they pick their auxiliary in the <\/em>passato prossimo<em>, and the one rule that trips up almost every English speaker learning Italian.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-toc-17106\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-toc-head-17106 gb-headline-text\">What we&#8217;ll cover today<\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">&#x1F446;&#x1F3FB;<br>Jump to sections<\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#what\">What are Italian modal verbs and why do they matter?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#conjugation\">How do you conjugate them in the present tense?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#sapere-potere\">When do you use sapere instead of potere for &#8220;can&#8221;?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#sapere-conoscere\">What&#8217;s the difference between sapere and conoscere?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#auxiliary\">&#8220;Ho dovuto andare&#8221; or &#8220;sono dovuto andare&#8221;?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#pronouns\">Where does the pronoun go with modal verbs?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#regret\">&#8220;Avrei dovuto&#8221; or &#8220;dovevo&#8221;? How Italians express regret<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#polite\">How do you make polite requests with modal verbs?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#subjunctive\">What are the subjunctive forms (debba, deva, possa)?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#mistakes\">What mistakes do English speakers make?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#exercise\">Exercise<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-h2-what-17106 gb-headline-text\" id=\"what\">What are Italian modal verbs and why do they matter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Italian modal verbs<\/strong> are a small, high-frequency group: <em>dovere<\/em>, <em>potere<\/em>, <em>volere<\/em>, and <em>sapere<\/em>. Italian grammarians call them <em>verbi servili<\/em>, literally &#8220;serving verbs&#8221;, because they sit in front of another verb in the infinitive and modify its meaning. They do the job of English <em>must<\/em>, <em>can<\/em>, <em>want<\/em>, and <em>know how<\/em>, but Italian marks them in person and number, which English does not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Italian grammar term is <em>verbi servili<\/em>: verbs that combine with another verb in the infinitive to express a particular modality of the action. For the full technical entry see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.treccani.it\/enciclopedia\/servili-verbi_(La-grammatica-italiana)\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this reference<\/a>. Three of them map onto classic modal concepts: <em>potere<\/em> expresses possibility, <em>volere<\/em> expresses will, <em>dovere<\/em> expresses necessity. <em>Sapere<\/em> joins the group when it means &#8220;know how to&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They matter because almost every real Italian sentence reaches for one of them. You can&#8217;t book a table, excuse yourself, ask permission, state a reason, or negotiate plans without one of the four. Here is how each one lands in a real sentence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Devo partire alle sette.<\/em><br>I have to leave at seven.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Posso pagare con la carta?<\/em><br>Can I pay by card?<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Vorrei un caff&egrave; doppio, per favore.<\/em><br>I&#8217;d like a double espresso, please.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>So parlare tre lingue.<\/em><br>I can (know how to) speak three languages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>One thing is already worth noticing. English collapses &#8220;can&#8221; into a single verb that covers both possibility and trained ability. Italian keeps them apart: <strong>potere<\/strong> is &#8220;can&#8221; as possibility or permission, <strong>sapere<\/strong> is &#8220;can&#8221; as a learned skill. Mixing them up is the single most common mistake English speakers make, and it comes up in our classes roughly every second lesson at A2 level. We&#8217;ll untangle it properly below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-h2-conj-17106 gb-headline-text\" id=\"conjugation\">How do you conjugate dovere, potere, volere, and sapere in the present tense?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All four Italian modal verbs are irregular in the present indicative. There is no clever pattern that ties them together, so the practical move is to memorise them side by side. This is the chart to keep open while you practise:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Pronoun<\/th><th><em>dovere<\/em><\/th><th><em>potere<\/em><\/th><th><em>volere<\/em><\/th><th><em>sapere<\/em><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>io<\/td><td><em>devo<\/em><\/td><td><em>posso<\/em><\/td><td><em>voglio<\/em><\/td><td><em>so<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>tu<\/td><td><em>devi<\/em><\/td><td><em>puoi<\/em><\/td><td><em>vuoi<\/em><\/td><td><em>sai<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>lui \/ lei<\/td><td><em>deve<\/em><\/td><td><em>pu&ograve;<\/em><\/td><td><em>vuole<\/em><\/td><td><em>sa<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>noi<\/td><td><em>dobbiamo<\/em><\/td><td><em>possiamo<\/em><\/td><td><em>vogliamo<\/em><\/td><td><em>sappiamo<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>voi<\/td><td><em>dovete<\/em><\/td><td><em>potete<\/em><\/td><td><em>volete<\/em><\/td><td><em>sapete<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>loro<\/td><td><em>devono<\/em><\/td><td><em>possono<\/em><\/td><td><em>vogliono<\/em><\/td><td><em>sanno<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Two pronunciation cues worth internalising now. The stress falls on the first syllable for <em>io<\/em>, <em>tu<\/em>, <em>lui<\/em>, and <em>loro<\/em> (<em>DE<\/em>-vo, <em>PU&Ograve;<\/em>, <em>VO<\/em>-glio, <em>SAN<\/em>-no), and shifts to the second syllable for <em>noi<\/em> and <em>voi<\/em> (<em>dob-BIA<\/em>-mo, <em>vo-LE<\/em>-te). Get the stress wrong and Italians will still understand you, but you will sound noticeably foreign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One more thing before we look at each verb in detail: after any modal, the second verb stays in the <strong>infinitive<\/strong>. It never conjugates. The modal carries the grammar, the infinitive carries the lexical meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Devo lavorare domani.<\/em><br>I have to work tomorrow.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Possiamo uscire presto?<\/em><br>Can we leave early?<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Vuoi venire con noi?<\/em><br>Do you want to come with us?<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Sanno cucinare benissimo.<\/em><br>They know how to cook really well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-h2-sapere-potere-17106 gb-headline-text\" id=\"sapere-potere\">When do you use sapere instead of potere for &#8220;can&#8221;?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the trap that catches more English speakers than any other single rule in Italian modal verbs. English uses &#8220;can&#8221; for both external possibility and learned skill. Italian splits those two ideas into two different verbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Potere<\/strong> asks: &#8220;is the path open right now?&#8221; It covers permission, availability, circumstance, chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Posso aprire la finestra?<\/em><br>Can I open the window? (permission)<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Puoi venire alle otto?<\/em><br>Can you come at eight? (are you available?)<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Non possiamo pagare in contanti.<\/em><br>We can&#8217;t pay in cash. (not an option)<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Si pu&ograve; prenotare online.<\/em><br>You can book online. (general possibility)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sapere<\/strong> asks: &#8220;do I have the skill?&#8221; It covers anything you had to learn: swimming, driving, a language, a musical instrument, cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>So nuotare da quando avevo sei anni.<\/em><br>I&#8217;ve known how to swim since I was six.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Sai guidare?<\/em><br>Can you drive? (do you know how?)<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Sanno suonare la chitarra.<\/em><br>They know how to play the guitar.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Mia figlia sa leggere gi&agrave; a quattro anni.<\/em><br>My daughter can read already at four.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-obs1-17106\">\n\n<p>&#x1F50D; <strong>Why grammarians call them &#8220;servile&#8221; verbs.<\/strong> <em>Italian textbooks often label the four Italian modal verbs as <\/em>verbi servili<em>, literally &#8220;serving verbs&#8221;, because they serve a second verb rather than forming a full predicate on their own. It&#8217;s not just terminology: the label flags a real consequence, which is that they inherit the auxiliary (<\/em>essere<em> or <\/em>avere<em>) of the infinitive they carry. That becomes crucial the moment you move into compound tenses.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>&#x1F50D; <strong>The quick test.<\/strong> <em>If you could answer &#8220;because I learned how&#8221;, use <\/em>sapere<em>. If you could answer &#8220;because the circumstances allow it&#8221;, use <\/em>potere<em>. So <\/em>nuotare<em> = I have the skill; <\/em>Posso nuotare<em> = the pool is open, the water is warm, I&#8217;m not injured. A native will always notice the difference, and it&#8217;s the fastest single upgrade you can make to your spoken Italian.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>A tiny extra detail: with Italian verbs of perception (<em>vedere<\/em>, <em>sentire<\/em>, <em>trovare<\/em>, <em>capire<\/em>), you usually drop the modal altogether. Italians don&#8217;t say <em>&#8220;Non posso vedere niente&#8221;<\/em>; they say <em>&#8220;Non vedo niente&#8221;<\/em>. The bare verb already carries the &#8220;can&#8221; meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-h2-sapcon-17106 gb-headline-text\" id=\"sapere-conoscere\">What&#8217;s the difference between sapere and conoscere in Italian?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A quick detour, because this pair confuses English speakers almost as much as <em>sapere<\/em> vs <em>potere<\/em>. Both translate as &#8220;to know&#8221;, but they split the territory:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sapere<\/strong> : know a fact or know how to do something.<br><em>So che Roma &egrave; la capitale d&#8217;Italia.<\/em> (I know that Rome is the capital of Italy.)<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Conoscere<\/strong> : be acquainted with a person, a place, a book, a song.<br><em>Conosco Roma molto bene.<\/em> (I know Rome very well.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Side-by-side examples to drive it home:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Conosci Marco? S&igrave;, lo conosco da anni.<\/em><br>Do you know Marco? Yes, I&#8217;ve known him for years.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Sai dove abita Marco? S&igrave;, abita a Milano.<\/em><br>Do you know where Marco lives? Yes, in Milan.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Conosco questa canzone, ma non so chi la canta.<\/em><br>I know this song, but I don&#8217;t know who sings it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Rule of thumb: if you could replace &#8220;know&#8221; with &#8220;be familiar with&#8221; in English, pick <em>conoscere<\/em>. Otherwise, pick <em>sapere<\/em>. And remember: <em>conoscere<\/em> is not a modal verb. It never pairs with an infinitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-h2-aux-17106 gb-headline-text\" id=\"auxiliary\">Should you say &#8220;ho dovuto andare&#8221; or &#8220;sono dovuto andare&#8221;?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the single most-debated question about Italian modal verbs. The Italian rule is clean: <em>dovere<\/em> can conjugate with either <em>avere<\/em> or <em>essere<\/em>, depending on the infinitive it carries. For the technical entry, see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.treccani.it\/vocabolario\/dovere2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Italian reference entry on <em>dovere<\/em><\/a>. In plain English: the modal borrows the auxiliary of the infinitive it carries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Three simple tests cover almost every case:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If the infinitive normally takes <em>avere<\/em> &rarr; the modal takes <em>avere<\/em>.<br><em>Ho dovuto lavorare fino a tardi.<\/em> (<em>lavorare<\/em> takes <em>avere<\/em>)<br>I had to work late.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>If the infinitive normally takes <em>essere<\/em> &rarr; the modal takes <em>essere<\/em>, and the past participle agrees with the subject.<br><em>Sono dovuto andare a casa.<\/em> (<em>andare<\/em> takes <em>essere<\/em>)<br>I had to go home.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>If the infinitive is <em>essere<\/em> itself (or the whole construction is passive), you always use <em>avere<\/em>.<br><em>Avrebbe dovuto essere qui a quest&#8217;ora.<\/em><br>He should have been here by now.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Compare these pairs carefully. The gender-marking in the second pair is part of the rule:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Ho voluto mangiare fuori.<\/em><br>I wanted to eat out. (<em>mangiare<\/em> &rarr; avere)<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Sono voluta uscire con gli amici.<\/em><br>I (f.) wanted to go out with friends. (<em>uscire<\/em> &rarr; essere, feminine <em>voluta<\/em>)<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Non ho potuto finire il libro.<\/em><br>I couldn&#8217;t finish the book. (<em>finire<\/em> &rarr; avere)<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Non &egrave; potuta venire alla festa.<\/em><br>She couldn&#8217;t come to the party. (<em>venire<\/em> &rarr; essere)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-obs2-17106\">\n\n<p>&#x1F50D; <strong>Modern spoken Italian cuts corners.<\/strong> <em>In everyday speech you&#8217;ll frequently hear Italians use <\/em>avere<em> with Italian modal verbs even when the infinitive would normally take <\/em>essere<em>: for example <\/em>ho dovuto andare<em> instead of the textbook <\/em>sono dovuto andare<em>. Grammars still mark the second as the &#8220;correct&#8221; form, but both are widely accepted in conversation. Use <\/em>essere<em> in writing and formal contexts, and follow whichever pattern the people around you use when speaking.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-h2-pron-17106 gb-headline-text\" id=\"pronouns\">Where does the pronoun go with Italian modal verbs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When a modal carries a pronoun (direct, indirect, reflexive, or the particles <em>ci<\/em> and <em>ne<\/em>), the pronoun has two possible positions. Both are standard Italian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Before the modal<\/strong>: <em>Lo devo fare.<\/em> \/ <em>Mi devo svegliare alle sei.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Attached to the infinitive<\/strong>: <em>Devo farlo.<\/em> \/ <em>Devo svegliarmi alle sei.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Both sentences mean exactly the same thing. The first feels slightly more conversational; the second feels slightly more neutral and is a touch more frequent in writing. Pick whichever rolls off your tongue, just be consistent within a sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the <em>passato prossimo<\/em>, however, pronoun position has a consequence. If the pronoun goes <strong>before<\/strong> the modal, you must use <em>essere<\/em> and agree the participle. If the pronoun is <strong>attached to the infinitive<\/strong>, you use <em>avere<\/em> and the participle does not agree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Mi sono dovuta alzare presto.<\/em> (pronoun before &rarr; essere, agreement with feminine subject)<br>I (f.) had to get up early.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Ho dovuto alzarmi presto.<\/em> (pronoun attached &rarr; avere, no agreement)<br>I had to get up early.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Ci sono potuto andare solo il venerd&igrave;.<\/em> (<em>ci<\/em> before &rarr; essere)<br>I could only go there on Fridays.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Ho potuto andarci solo il venerd&igrave;.<\/em> (<em>ci<\/em> attached &rarr; avere)<br>I could only go there on Fridays.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The same logic applies to <em>ne<\/em>, to reflexives, and to any combination of modals with particles. Once you internalise this one pattern, compound tenses with all four Italian modal verbs fall into place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-h2-regret-17106 gb-headline-text\" id=\"regret\">&#8220;Avrei dovuto&#8221; or &#8220;dovevo&#8221;? How Italians express regret<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>English has one clean way to say &#8220;I should have done X&#8221;: past conditional. Italian has two, and they carry slightly different weights. This is where Italian modal verbs get surprisingly expressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Avrei dovuto + infinitive<\/strong>: the textbook past conditional. Formal, explicit regret, unfulfilled obligation.<br><em>Avrei dovuto chiamarti prima.<\/em><br>I should have called you earlier.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Dovevo + infinitive<\/strong>: the imperfetto. Lighter, more colloquial, conveys the same regret in speech.<br><em>Dovevo chiamarti prima.<\/em><br>I should have called you earlier. (spoken)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The two forms are regularly used as equivalents in conversation. The imperfetto is everywhere in the spoken register; the past conditional is what you want in an email to a professor, in a formal apology, in writing. A classroom rule of thumb: if you&#8217;re writing, pick <em>avrei dovuto<\/em>. If you&#8217;re speaking to a friend, <em>dovevo<\/em> is perfectly idiomatic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The same pair of forms works with <em>potere<\/em> and <em>volere<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Avrei potuto prendere il treno delle sei.<\/em> \/ <em>Potevo prendere il treno delle sei.<\/em><br>I could have taken the six-o&#8217;clock train.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Avrei voluto dirglielo di persona.<\/em> \/ <em>Volevo dirglielo di persona.<\/em><br>I would have wanted to tell him face to face.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Small but important detail: when the main verb is <em>essere<\/em>, the auxiliary is always <em>avere<\/em>, never <em>essere<\/em>. So you say <em>avrebbe potuto essere diverso<\/em> (things could have been different), never <em>sarebbe potuto essere diverso<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-h2-polite-17106 gb-headline-text\" id=\"polite\">How do you make polite requests with Italian modal verbs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Italian is a language that leans on the conditional for politeness. English can get away with a well-placed &#8220;please&#8221;; Italian expects the verb itself to soften. The three modals <em>volere<\/em>, <em>potere<\/em>, and <em>dovere<\/em> all have a conditional form you&#8217;ll use constantly, especially as a traveller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Meaning<\/th><th>Indicative (direct)<\/th><th>Conditional (polite)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>I want \/ I&#8217;d like<\/td><td><em>Voglio un caff&egrave;.<\/em><\/td><td><em>Vorrei un caff&egrave;.<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Can you \/ Could you<\/td><td><em>Puoi ripetere?<\/em><\/td><td><em>Potresti ripetere?<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>You must \/ You should<\/td><td><em>Devi chiamarlo.<\/em><\/td><td><em>Dovresti chiamarlo.<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Rule of thumb for service situations, bars, restaurants, shops, hotels: default to the conditional. Nobody will ever find it excessive. <em>Voglio<\/em> is fine between friends and for firm decisions; <em>vorrei<\/em> is the safe choice with a stranger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Vorrei un cappuccino, grazie.<\/em><br>I&#8217;d like a cappuccino, thanks.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Potrebbe ripetere, per favore?<\/em><br>Could you repeat that, please?<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Vorremmo prenotare un tavolo per due.<\/em><br>We&#8217;d like to book a table for two.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Dovrebbe firmare qui, grazie.<\/em><br>You should sign here, thanks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Notice how <em>dovere<\/em> in the conditional turns &#8220;must&#8221; into &#8220;should&#8221;, and how the softened request lets you push a customer, a student, or a stranger toward action without coming across as bossy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-h2-subj-17106 gb-headline-text\" id=\"subjunctive\">What are the subjunctive forms of dovere, potere, and volere?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Italian modal verbs also appear in the subjunctive after triggers like <em>credo che<\/em>, <em>penso che<\/em>, <em>non so se<\/em>, <em>&egrave; possibile che<\/em>, and <em>perch&eacute;<\/em> meaning &#8220;so that&#8221;. Their present subjunctive forms are useful enough that they deserve a small table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Person<\/th><th><em>dovere<\/em><\/th><th><em>potere<\/em><\/th><th><em>volere<\/em><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>che io<\/td><td><em>debba<\/em><\/td><td><em>possa<\/em><\/td><td><em>voglia<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>che tu<\/td><td><em>debba<\/em><\/td><td><em>possa<\/em><\/td><td><em>voglia<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>che lui \/ lei<\/td><td><em>debba<\/em><\/td><td><em>possa<\/em><\/td><td><em>voglia<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>che noi<\/td><td><em>dobbiamo<\/em><\/td><td><em>possiamo<\/em><\/td><td><em>vogliamo<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>che voi<\/td><td><em>dobbiate<\/em><\/td><td><em>possiate<\/em><\/td><td><em>vogliate<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>che loro<\/td><td><em>debbano<\/em><\/td><td><em>possano<\/em><\/td><td><em>vogliano<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The only form that raises eyebrows is <em>debba<\/em>. You may occasionally see <em>deva<\/em> \/ <em>devano<\/em> in older books or in regional Tuscan speech. Both forms are technically valid, but in contemporary standard Italian <em>debba<\/em> is dominant: in ten years of teaching we&#8217;ve never heard a student corrected for using <em>debba<\/em>, but we have heard native speakers pause and smile at <em>deva<\/em>. Stick with <em>debba<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How the subjunctive of modals shows up in real sentences:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Credo che tu debba parlargli.<\/em><br>I think you should talk to him.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Non so se possa venire sabato.<\/em><br>I don&#8217;t know if she can come on Saturday.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>&egrave; possibile che vogliano cambiare idea.<\/em><br>It&#8217;s possible they might want to change their mind.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><em>Te lo spiego perch&eacute; tu possa capirlo meglio.<\/em><br>I&#8217;ll explain it so that you can understand it better.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A nuance students often ask about: after <em>credo che<\/em> you can also use the conditional rather than the subjunctive, with a slightly softer feel. <em>Credo che tu debba parlargli<\/em> states what I think is necessary; <em>credo che tu dovresti parlargli<\/em> frames it as my advice. Both are correct Italian, the difference is pragmatic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-h2-mistakes-17106 gb-headline-text\" id=\"mistakes\">What common mistakes do English speakers make with Italian modal verbs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Five errors show up again and again in our classes. If you can tick these off mentally when you speak, you&#8217;ll already sound more accurate than most learners at your level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mistake 1:<\/strong> using <em>potere<\/em> for learned skills.<br>&#x274C; <em>*Posso nuotare benissimo.<\/em><br>&#x2705; <em>So nuotare benissimo.<\/em> (skill &rarr; <em>sapere<\/em>)<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Mistake 2:<\/strong> picking the wrong auxiliary in the <em>passato prossimo<\/em>.<br>&#x274C; <em>*Ho dovuto andare a casa.<\/em> (accepted in speech, but textbook-wrong)<br>&#x2705; <em>Sono dovuto\/a andare a casa.<\/em> (<em>andare<\/em> takes <em>essere<\/em>)<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Mistake 3:<\/strong> conjugating the second verb.<br>&#x274C; <em>*Voglio mangio la pizza.<\/em><br>&#x2705; <em>Voglio mangiare la pizza.<\/em> (the modal carries the grammar; the second verb stays in the infinitive)<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Mistake 4:<\/strong> saying <em>voglio<\/em> instead of <em>vorrei<\/em> in polite requests.<br>&#x274C; <em>Voglio un caff&egrave;.<\/em> (correct grammar, but feels abrupt to a stranger)<br>&#x2705; <em>Vorrei un caff&egrave;.<\/em> (polite, context-appropriate)<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Mistake 5:<\/strong> confusing <em>sapere<\/em> and <em>conoscere<\/em>.<br>&#x274C; <em>*So Marco da dieci anni.<\/em><br>&#x2705; <em>Conosco Marco da dieci anni.<\/em> (acquaintance &rarr; <em>conoscere<\/em>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For the broader context of how these verbs fit into the Italian verb system, see our <a href=\"\/eng\/italian-verbs-complete-guide\/\">complete guide to Italian verbs<\/a>. For the particles <em>ci<\/em> and <em>ne<\/em> that show up in many of the examples above, see the Wikipedia entry on <a href=\"https:\/\/it.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Verbo_servile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">verbi servili<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-spick-17106\">\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-h3-spick-17106 gb-headline-text\">&#x1F4CC; Cheat sheet: Italian modal verbs<\/h3>\n\n\n<p><strong>The four verbs:<\/strong> <em>dovere<\/em> (must), <em>potere<\/em> (can \/ may), <em>volere<\/em> (want), <em>sapere<\/em> (know how).<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Always + infinitive:<\/strong> the second verb never conjugates. <em>Devo lavorare.<\/em> \/ <em>Voglio uscire.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Can vs know how:<\/strong> <em>potere<\/em> = external possibility or permission; <em>sapere<\/em> = learned skill.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Polite requests:<\/strong> default to the conditional, <em>vorrei<\/em>, <em>potrei<\/em>, <em>dovrei<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Passato prossimo:<\/strong> the modal borrows the auxiliary of the infinitive. <em>Ho dovuto lavorare.<\/em> \/ <em>Sono dovuto andare.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Regret:<\/strong> <em>avrei dovuto<\/em> (formal) or <em>dovevo<\/em> (spoken). Both mean &#8220;I should have&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #dddddd;border-radius:8px;padding:20px 25px;margin:20px 0\">\n<p>&#x1F3AF; <strong>Mini-challenge: pick the right modal.<\/strong><br><em>Scegli il verbo modale corretto.<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Domani _______ (dovere \/ potere) svegliarmi alle cinque.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Mia figlia _______ (sapere \/ potere) leggere gi&agrave; a quattro anni.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>_______ (volere: conditional, tu) un altro caff&egrave;?<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Ieri Marco non &egrave; _______ (potere) venire alla riunione.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>_______ (sapere \/ conoscere, io) il tuo amico da molti anni.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<details><summary><strong>Show answers<\/strong><\/summary>\n<p>1. <em>devo<\/em> (obligation: waking-up schedule)<br>2. <em>sa<\/em> (skill &rarr; <em>sapere<\/em>)<br>3. <em>Vorresti<\/em> (polite request &rarr; conditional)<br>4. <em>potuto<\/em> (infinitive <em>venire<\/em> &rarr; <em>essere<\/em>)<br>5. <em>Conosco<\/em> (acquaintance with a person &rarr; <em>conoscere<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-p17106-milano-wrap\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-p17106-milano-grid\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-p17106-milano-left\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-p17106-milano-left\">\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-p17106-milano-title gb-headline-text\">Milano<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color has-medium-font-size\" style=\"color:#597e4d\"><strong>Italian group course on Zoom<\/strong><br>Level A2 &#8211; B1<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dante-learning.com\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/milano-no-sfondo.webp\" alt=\"Milano Group Course on Zoom\" class=\"wp-image-30995\" style=\"width:200px;height:auto\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-p17106-milano-right\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-p17106-milano-right\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600\">Beyond the basics, into real Italian.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Milano is our structured small-group course for learners moving from beginner to intermediate. A clear path, a native teacher, and real progress you can feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Live group lessons on Zoom, native teacher<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Small classes, max 4 students<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Materials in English, practice in Italian<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grammar, vocab, listening, writing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-p17106-milano-btn-wrap\">\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-p17106-milano-btn gb-button-text\" href=\"\/eng\/membership-checkout\/?level=7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Learn More<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-h2-quiz-17106 gb-headline-text\" id=\"exercise\">Exercise: Italian modal verbs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-quiz-box-17106\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n        <div class=\"wpProQuiz_content\" id=\"wpProQuiz_141\">\n                    <div style=\"display: none;\" class=\"wpProQuiz_time_limit\">\n            <div class=\"time\">Time limit: <span>0<\/span><\/div>\n            <div class=\"wpProQuiz_progress\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <div class=\"wpProQuiz_checkPage\" style=\"display: none;\">\n            <h4 class=\"wpProQuiz_header\">Quiz-summary<\/h4>\n\n            <p>\n                <span>0<\/span> of 2 questions completed            <\/p>\n\n            <p>Questions:<\/p>\n\n            <div style=\"margin-bottom: 20px;\" class=\"wpProQuiz_box\">\n                <ol>\n                                            <li>1<\/li>\n                                            <li>2<\/li>\n                                    <\/ol>\n                <div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n            \n            <input type=\"button\" name=\"endQuizSummary\" value=\"Finish quiz\"\n                   class=\"wpProQuiz_button\">\n        <\/div>\n                <div class=\"wpProQuiz_infopage\" style=\"display: none;\">\n            <h4>Information<\/h4>\n\n            \n            <input type=\"button\" name=\"endInfopage\" value=\"Finish quiz\"\n                   class=\"wpProQuiz_button\">\n        <\/div>\n                <div class=\"wpProQuiz_text\">\n            <p>\n                <p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;\">LOADING QUIZ&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n            <\/p>\n\n            \n            <div>\n                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_button\" type=\"button\" value=\"Start quiz\"\n                       name=\"startQuiz\">\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <div style=\"display: none;\" class=\"wpProQuiz_lock\">\n            <p>\n                You have already completed the quiz before. 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showMessage(texts.acceptTerms);\n                    return;\n                }\n            }\n            \n            $('#submit-btn').prop('disabled', true).text(texts.processing);\n            $('#form-message').hide();\n            \n            $.post('https:\/\/dante-learning.com\/eng\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php', {\n                action: 'dante_process_auth',\n                mode: mode,\n                email: email,\n                password: password,\n                name: name,\n                redirect: redirect,\n                website: $('#website').val(),\n                nonce: $('input[name=\"nonce\"]').val()\n            }, function(r) {\n                if (r.success) {\n                    showMessage(texts.success, 'success');\n                    setTimeout(() => window.location.href = r.data.redirect, 1000);\n                } else {\n                    showMessage(r.data);\n                    $('#submit-btn').prop('disabled', false).text(mode === 'login' ? texts.signIn : texts.createAccount);\n                }\n            });\n        });\n    });\n    <\/script>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n                <\/p>\n        <\/div>\n                <div style=\"display: none;\" class=\"wpProQuiz_prerequisite\">\n            <p>\n                You have to finish following quiz, to start this quiz:                <span><\/span>\n            <\/p>\n        <\/div>\n                <div style=\"display: none;\" class=\"wpProQuiz_results\">\n            <h4 class=\"wpProQuiz_header\">Results<\/h4>\n                        <p class=\"wpProQuiz_time_limit_expired\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                Time has elapsed            <\/p>\n                            <p class=\"wpProQuiz_points\">\n                    You scored <span>0<\/span> out of <span>0<\/span> points, (<span>0<\/span>)                <\/p>\n                                        <div class=\"wpProQuiz_resultTable\">\n                    <table>\n                        <tbody>\n                        <tr>\n                            <td class=\"wpProQuiz_resultName\">Average score<\/td>\n                            <td class=\"wpProQuiz_resultValue\">\n                                <div style=\"background-color: #6CA54C;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n                                <span>&nbsp;<\/span>\n                            <\/td>\n                        <\/tr>\n                        <tr>\n                            <td class=\"wpProQuiz_resultName\">Your score<\/td>\n                            <td class=\"wpProQuiz_resultValue\">\n                                <div style=\"background-color: #F79646;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n                                <span>&nbsp;<\/span>\n                            <\/td>\n                        <\/tr>\n                        <\/tbody>\n                    <\/table>\n                <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"wpProQuiz_catOverview\" style=\"display:none;\">\n                <h4>Categories<\/h4>\n\n                <div style=\"margin-top: 10px;\">\n                    <ol>\n                                                    <li data-category_id=\"0\">\n                                <span class=\"wpProQuiz_catName\">Not categorized<\/span>\n                                <span class=\"wpProQuiz_catPercent\">0%<\/span>\n                            <\/li>\n                                            <\/ol>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div>\n                <ul class=\"wpProQuiz_resultsList\">\n                                            <li style=\"display: none;\">\n                            <div>\n                                <p>[contact-form-7 id=&#8221;15171&#8243; title=&#8221;trial due colonne&#8221;]<\/p>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n                        <div style=\"margin: 10px 0px;\">\n                                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <div class=\"wpProQuiz_reviewDiv\" style=\"display: none;\">\n            <div class=\"wpProQuiz_reviewQuestion\">\n                <ol>\n                                            <li>1<\/li>\n                                            <li>2<\/li>\n                                    <\/ol>\n                <div style=\"display: none;\"><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"wpProQuiz_reviewLegend\">\n                <ol>\n                    <li>\n                        <span class=\"wpProQuiz_reviewColor\" style=\"background-color: #6CA54C;\"><\/span>\n                        <span class=\"wpProQuiz_reviewText\">Answered<\/span>\n                    <\/li>\n                    <li>\n                        <span class=\"wpProQuiz_reviewColor\" style=\"background-color: #FFB800;\"><\/span>\n                        <span class=\"wpProQuiz_reviewText\">Review<\/span>\n                    <\/li>\n                <\/ol>\n                <div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div>\n                                    <input type=\"button\" name=\"review\" value=\"Review question\"\n                           class=\"wpProQuiz_button2\" style=\"float: left; display: block;\">\n                                        <div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <div class=\"wpProQuiz_quizAnker\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/div>\n                <div style=\"display: none;\" class=\"wpProQuiz_quiz\">\n            <ol class=\"wpProQuiz_list\">\n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_listItem\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                        <div\n                            class=\"wpProQuiz_question_page\" style=\"display:none;\" >\n                            Question <span>1<\/span> of <span>2<\/span>                        <\/div>\n                        <h5 style=\"display: none;\"\n                            class=\"wpProQuiz_header\">\n                            <span>1<\/span>. Question                        <\/h5>\n\n                        \n                                                <div class=\"wpProQuiz_question\" style=\"margin: 10px 0 0 0;\">\n                            <div class=\"wpProQuiz_question_text\">\n                                <h1 class=\"entry-title\" style=\"text-align: center;\">I verbi modali<\/h1>\n<h1 class=\"entry-title\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Quiz di livello avanzato<\/h1>\n<h1 class=\"entry-title\" style=\"text-align: center;\">esercizio di ripasso<\/h1>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Seleziona le frasi corrette e controlla il tuo punteggio<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Potrebbero essere tutte giuste o tutte sbagliate. Fai attenzione.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n                            <\/div>\n                                                        <ul class=\"wpProQuiz_questionList\" data-question_id=\"489\"\n                                data-type=\"multiple\">\n                                \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"0\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_489\"\n                                                       value=\"1\"> Vorrei invitarvi a cena. Potete farmi sapere?                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"1\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_489\"\n                                                       value=\"2\"> Vi vorrei invitare a cena. Potete mi fare sapere?\r\n<hr \/>                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"2\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_489\"\n                                                       value=\"3\"> Che regalo ti vorresti ricevere per il tuo compleanno?                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"3\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_489\"\n                                                       value=\"4\"> Che regalo vorresti ricevere per il tuo compleanno?\r\n<hr \/>                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"4\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_489\"\n                                                       value=\"5\"> Se avessi voluto, avrei corso pi\u00f9 velocemente di te.                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"5\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_489\"\n                                                       value=\"6\"> Se fossi voluto, sarei corso pi\u00f9 velocemente di te.\r\n<hr \/>                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"6\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_489\"\n                                                       value=\"7\"> Avendo preferito studiare medicina, Mario \u00e8 potuto diventare medico.                                             <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"7\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_489\"\n                                                       value=\"8\"> Avendo potuto studiare medicina, Mario \u00e8 preferito diventare medico. \r\n<hr \/>                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"8\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_489\"\n                                                       value=\"9\"> Non avevamo potuto prepararci in tempo per l&#039;esame e siamo stati bocciati.                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"9\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_489\"\n                                                       value=\"10\"> Non ci eravamo potuti preparare in tempo per l'esame e siamo stati bocciati.\r\n<hr \/>                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"10\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_489\"\n                                                       value=\"11\"> Non ci sarebbe voluto cos\u00ec tanto tempo per arrivare se Laura non avesse voluto fermarsi per fare colazione.                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"11\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_489\"\n                                                       value=\"12\"> Non ci avrebbe voluto cos\u00ec tanto tempo per arrivare se Laura non si fosse voluta fermare per fare colazione.\r\n<hr \/>                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                                                <\/ul>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                    <div class=\"wpProQuiz_response\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                                <div style=\"display: none;\" class=\"wpProQuiz_correct\">\n                                                                            <span class=\"wpProQuiz_respone_span\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCorrect\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br>\n                                    <p><hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u2611\u00a0Controlla le risposte giuste e continua il quiz.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span class=\"blink_text\" style=\"font-size: 28pt; color: #ff0000;\">\u2193\u2193\u2193<\/span><\/p><\/p>                                <\/div>\n                                <div style=\"display: none;\" class=\"wpProQuiz_incorrect\">\n                                                                            <span class=\"wpProQuiz_respone_span\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIncorrect\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br>\n                                    <p><hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u2611\u00a0Controlla le risposte giuste e continua il quiz.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span class=\"blink_text\" style=\"font-size: 28pt; color: #ff0000;\">\u2193\u2193\u2193<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        \n                        \n                                                <input type=\"button\" name=\"back\" value=\"Back\"\n                               class=\"wpProQuiz_button wpProQuiz_QuestionButton\"\n                               style=\"float: left !important; margin-right: 10px !important; display: none;\">\n                                                <input type=\"button\" name=\"check\" value=\"Check\"\n                               class=\"wpProQuiz_button wpProQuiz_QuestionButton\"\n                               style=\"float: right !important; margin-right: 10px !important; display: none;\">\n                        <input type=\"button\" name=\"next\" value=\"Next\"\n                               class=\"wpProQuiz_button wpProQuiz_QuestionButton\" style=\"float: right; display: none;\">\n\n                        <div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n\n                        \n                    <\/li>\n\n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_listItem\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                        <div\n                            class=\"wpProQuiz_question_page\" style=\"display:none;\" >\n                            Question <span>2<\/span> of <span>2<\/span>                        <\/div>\n                        <h5 style=\"display: none;\"\n                            class=\"wpProQuiz_header\">\n                            <span>2<\/span>. Question                        <\/h5>\n\n                        \n                                                <div class=\"wpProQuiz_question\" style=\"margin: 10px 0 0 0;\">\n                            <div class=\"wpProQuiz_question_text\">\n                                <h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">Un po&#8217; pi\u00f9 difficile<\/h1>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Seleziona le frasi corrette e controlla il tuo punteggio<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n                            <\/div>\n                                                        <ul class=\"wpProQuiz_questionList\" data-question_id=\"490\"\n                                data-type=\"multiple\">\n                                \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"0\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_490\"\n                                                       value=\"1\"> Se volessi andarmene a quest&#039;ora, potrei trovarmi bloccato nel traffico.                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"1\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_490\"\n                                                       value=\"2\"> Se me ne volessi andare a quest&#039;ora, mi potrei trovare bloccato nel traffico.\r\n                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"2\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_490\"\n                                                       value=\"3\"> Se ne me volessi andarmene a quest'ora, potrei trovarmi bloccato nel traffico.\r\n<hr \/>                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"3\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_490\"\n                                                       value=\"4\"> Vorresti allenarti con me o preferiresti prepararti per la maratona da sola?\r\n                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"4\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_490\"\n                                                       value=\"5\"> Ti vorresti allenare con me o ti preferiresti preparare per la maratona da sola?\r\n                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"5\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_490\"\n                                                       value=\"6\"> Ti vorresti allenare con me o preferiresti prepararti per la maratona da sola?\r\n<hr \/>                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"6\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_490\"\n                                                       value=\"7\"> Volendo, potresti vestirti come si deve una volta tanto.                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"7\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_490\"\n                                                       value=\"8\"> Volendo, ti potresti vestire come si deve una volta tanto.                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                    \n                                    <li class=\"wpProQuiz_questionListItem\" data-pos=\"8\">\n\n                                                                                                                                <span style=\"display:none;\"><\/span>\n                                            <label>\n                                                <input class=\"wpProQuiz_questionInput\"\n                                                       type=\"checkbox\"\n                                                       name=\"question_141_490\"\n                                                       value=\"9\"> Volendoti, potresti vestire come si deve una volta tanto.\r\n<hr \/>                                            <\/label>\n\n                                                                            <\/li>\n                                                                <\/ul>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                    <div class=\"wpProQuiz_response\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                                <div style=\"display: none;\" class=\"wpProQuiz_correct\">\n                                                                            <span class=\"wpProQuiz_respone_span\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCorrect\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br>\n                                    <p><hr \/>\n<p>\u2611\u00a0Controlla le risposte giuste e finisci il quiz.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span class=\"blink_text\" style=\"font-size: 28pt; color: #ff0000;\">\u2193\u2193\u2193<\/span><\/p><\/p>                                <\/div>\n                                <div style=\"display: none;\" class=\"wpProQuiz_incorrect\">\n                                                                            <span class=\"wpProQuiz_respone_span\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIncorrect\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br>\n                                    <p><hr \/>\n<p>\u2611\u00a0Controlla le risposte giuste e finisci il quiz.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span class=\"blink_text\" style=\"font-size: 28pt; color: #ff0000;\">\u2193\u2193\u2193<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        \n                        \n                                                <input type=\"button\" name=\"back\" value=\"Back\"\n                               class=\"wpProQuiz_button wpProQuiz_QuestionButton\"\n                               style=\"float: left !important; margin-right: 10px !important; display: none;\">\n                                                <input type=\"button\" name=\"check\" value=\"Check\"\n                               class=\"wpProQuiz_button wpProQuiz_QuestionButton\"\n                               style=\"float: right !important; margin-right: 10px !important; display: none;\">\n                        <input type=\"button\" name=\"next\" value=\"Next\"\n                               class=\"wpProQuiz_button wpProQuiz_QuestionButton\" style=\"float: right; display: none;\">\n\n                        <div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n\n                        \n                    <\/li>\n\n                            <\/ol>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n            window.wpProQuizInitList = window.wpProQuizInitList || [];\n\n            window.wpProQuizInitList.push({\n                id: '#wpProQuiz_141',\n                init: {\n                    quizId: 141,\n                    mode: 2,\n                    globalPoints: 13,\n                    timelimit: 0,\n                    resultsGrade: [0],\n                    bo: 7560,\n                    qpp: 0,\n                    catPoints: [13],\n                    formPos: 0,\n                    lbn: \"Finish quiz\",\n                    json: {\"489\":{\"type\":\"multiple\",\"id\":489,\"catId\":0,\"points\":[1,0,0,1,1,0,1,0,1,1,1,0],\"correct\":[1,0,0,1,1,0,1,0,1,1,1,0]},\"490\":{\"type\":\"multiple\",\"id\":490,\"catId\":0,\"points\":[1,1,0,1,0,1,1,1,0],\"correct\":[1,1,0,1,0,1,1,1,0]}}                }\n            });\n        <\/script>\n        \n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to push these Italian modal verbs into real conversation? Join our <a href=\"\/eng\/membership-checkout\/?level=7\">A2 to B1 Italian course in Milano<\/a> to drill exactly these patterns with a live teacher, or book a <a href=\"\/eng\/membership-checkout\/?level=6\">private one-to-one lesson<\/a> shaped around your weak spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-h2-faq-17106 gb-headline-text\" id=\"faq\">FAQ: Italian modal verbs<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-modal-q1\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What are the four Italian modal verbs?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The four Italian modal verbs are dovere (must, have to), potere (can, may), volere (want), and sapere (know how). They pair with an infinitive to express obligation, possibility, desire, and learned ability.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-modal-q2\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What is the difference between potere and sapere?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Potere is about external possibility or permission: Posso nuotare oggi? means Can I swim today? (is the pool open, am I allowed?). Sapere is about a learned skill: So nuotare means I know how to swim. English collapses both into can, but Italian keeps them apart.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-modal-q3\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Which auxiliary do Italian modal verbs take in the passato prossimo?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Italian modal verbs borrow the auxiliary of the infinitive they carry. If the infinitive takes avere, the modal takes avere: Ho dovuto lavorare. If the infinitive takes essere, the modal takes essere: Sono dovuto andare. In modern spoken Italian, using avere in both cases is widely accepted.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-modal-q4\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Where does the reflexive pronoun go with a modal verb?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>You have two options. Before the modal: Mi devo svegliare alle sei. Attached to the infinitive: Devo svegliarmi alle sei. Both are correct and mean the same thing. In the passato prossimo, pronoun placement determines the auxiliary: pronoun before takes essere, pronoun attached takes avere.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-modal-q5\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is it debba or deva? Which subjunctive form is correct?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Both forms are technically valid, but debba is dominant in contemporary standard Italian. Deva and devano appear in older texts and some regional Tuscan speech, but contemporary speakers and reference works use debba. Stick with debba: io debba, tu debba, lui debba, noi dobbiamo, voi dobbiate, loro debbano.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-modal-q6\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What is the difference between avrei dovuto and dovevo?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Both express unfulfilled obligation or regret (I should have done X). Avrei dovuto is the past conditional, formal and explicit, preferred in writing. Dovevo is the imperfetto, lighter and more colloquial, very common in spoken Italian. In conversation the two are frequently interchangeable.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-modal-q7\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Why do Italians say vorrei instead of voglio in restaurants?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Voglio is grammatically correct but can sound blunt to strangers. The conditional vorrei (I would like) is the standard polite form for requests. Use voglio among friends or for firm decisions, and default to vorrei in service situations at the bar, the restaurant, or the shop.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-modal-q8\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is sapere the same as conoscere?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No. Both translate as to know, but sapere means to know a fact or to know how to do something (and acts as a modal verb with an infinitive), while conoscere means to be acquainted with a person, a place, or a work, and never works as a modal. So Marco is wrong; Conosco Marco is right.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Master Italian modal verbs dovere, potere, volere, and sapere with clear conjugations, real examples, idioms, and a practice quiz. Complete A2 to B1 guide.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10020,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[414,419,1490,415,417,986,219,416],"class_list":["post-17106","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lingua","tag-dovere","tag-italian-modal-verbs","tag-italian-reflexive-verbs","tag-potere","tag-sapere","tag-verbi-modali","tag-verbi-riflessivi","tag-volere","no-featured-image-padding","pmpro-has-access"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dante-learning.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17106","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dante-learning.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dante-learning.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dante-learning.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10020"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dante-learning.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17106"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/dante-learning.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17106\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59439,"href":"https:\/\/dante-learning.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17106\/revisions\/59439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dante-learning.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17106"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dante-learning.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17106"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dante-learning.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}