Choosing the correct auxiliary verb when using Passato Prossimo
The book "English Grammar for Students of Italian" says regarding auxiliary verb selection for the Passato Prossimo:
"1. All transitive verbs (the verbs which can take a direct object...) use the auxiliary avere.
2. All reflexive verbs use the auxiliary essere ...
3. Intrasitive verbs ... can use avere or essere ..."
Due to the third point, some memory work is required to determine which verbs use essere.
Click on the appropriate auxiliary verb to the left
| parlato (I spoke) |
| finito (you all have finished) |
| detto (we said) |
| dato (he gave) |
| ascoltato (you listened) |
| preso (they took) |
| aperto (he opened) |
| aiutato (you all helped) |
| offerto (they offered) |
| morto (I died) |
| camminato (you walked) |
| andati (we went) |
| mangiato (I ate) |
| suonato (you all played) |
| vinto (we won) |
| bevuto (she drank) |
| arrivati (you all arrived) |
| fatto (we made) |
| visto (I saw) |
| stato (you stayed) |
| creduto (they believed) |
| venuta (she came) |