Learning Italian is an exciting journey, but like any new language, it comes with a few tricky grammar rules.
One of the first challenges for English speakers is learning when to use the auxiliary verbs essere (to be) and avere (to have) to form the passato prossimo.
In English, we only use have as an auxiliary. In Italian, however, both essere and avere are used, depending on the verb. This is why English speakers often find this topic a bit confusing at first.
So, how do you know which auxiliary to choose? Let’s look at the basics with some examples.
1. How is the passato prossimo formed?
The passato prossimo is formed with:
the present tense of the auxiliary verb (essere or avere) plus the past participle of the main verb.
– Ieri sono andato al cinema.
– Abbiamo completato tutti gli esercizi.
2. When do we use avere?
As a rule, avere is used with most transitive verbs, i.e. verbs that take a direct object.
– Ho incontrato Giulia.
– Abbiamo comprato una casa.
Watch out! Some intransitive verbs still take avere. These are typically action verbs such as telefonare, viaggiare, lavorare, passeggiare, ballare.
– Ho viaggiato molto quest’estate.
– Carlo ha lavorato tutto il giorno.
3. When do we use essere?
The auxiliary essere is used with:
a) Verbs of movement (with origin or destination): andare, venire, entrare, uscire, arrivare, partire, tornare, salire, cadere…
– Siamo andati a scuola a piedi.
– È arrivato da Londra ieri sera.
b) Reflexive verbs
– Questa mattina mi sono svegliato tardi.
– Ci siamo sposati due anni fa.
c) State verbs: stare, restare…
– Come sei stata con i nuovi amici?
– Laura è restata all’università per studiare.
d) Verbs expressing change or transformation: nascere, morire, crescere, diventare, aumentare, diminuire, ingrassare, dimagrire…
– Tua figlia è diventata grande!
– Sono dimagrita di quattro chili.
4. Past participle agreement
Here’s a key difference with English: when the auxiliary is essere, the past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject.
– Anna e Valeria sono state a casa tutto il giorno.
– Gli studenti sono arrivati in ritardo.
With avere, the past participle does not change — just like in English.
– Avete dormito bene questa notte?
– Hanno ricevuto tanti regali.
5. Why is this rule so important?
Choosing the right auxiliary is essential for mastering the passato prossimo, one of the most common tenses in everyday Italian.
At first, it may feel tricky, but with practice, the rule becomes automatic.
A useful tip:
- If the verb has a direct object, it usually takes avere.
- If the verb involves movement, change, state, or is reflexive, it usually takes essere.
6. Want to learn more?
This article is just an introduction.
Click here to view the complete grammar sheet, where you’ll find clear explanations, verb lists, and plenty of practical examples to help you choose the right auxiliary with confidence.
And if you’re unsure about how to form the past participle, you can also check the grammar sheets “Il passato prossimo dei verbi regolari” and “Il passato prossimo dei verbi irregolari” to review all the endings.
Choosing between essere and avere might be a challenge in the beginning, but don’t worry—practice makes it automatic.
If you want to keep practising this and other fundamental grammar topics, discover our course Allegramente – Level A1: the perfect course to learn Italian step by step!