In English, we only use have as an auxiliary. In Italian, however, both essere <\/em><\/strong>and avere <\/em><\/strong>are used, depending on the verb. This is why English speakers often find this topic a bit confusing at first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, how do you know which auxiliary to choose? Let\u2019s look at the basics with some examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The passato prossimo<\/em> is formed with: As a rule, avere <\/em><\/strong>is used with most transitive verbs, i.e. verbs that take a direct object.<\/span> Watch out! Some intransitive verbs still take avere<\/em><\/strong>. These are typically action verbs such as telefonare, viaggiare, lavorare, passeggiare, ballare.<\/em> The auxiliary essere<\/em><\/strong> is used with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n a)<\/strong> Verbs of movement (with origin or destination): andare, venire, entrare, uscire, arrivare, partire, tornare, salire, cadere\u2026<\/em> b) <\/strong>Reflexive verbs c) <\/strong>State verbs: stare, restare\u2026<\/em> d)<\/strong> Verbs expressing change or transformation: nascere, morire, crescere, diventare, aumentare, diminuire, ingrassare, dimagrire\u2026<\/em> Here\u2019s a key difference with English: when the auxiliary is essere<\/em><\/strong>, the past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject. With avere<\/em><\/strong>, the past participle does not change \u2014 just like in English. Choosing the right auxiliary is essential for mastering the passato prossimo<\/em>, one of the most common tenses in everyday Italian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At first, it may feel tricky, but with practice, the rule becomes automatic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A useful tip:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This article is just an introduction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Click here<\/a> to view the complete grammar sheet, where you\u2019ll find clear explanations, verb lists, and plenty of practical examples to help you choose the right auxiliary with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if you\u2019re unsure about how to form the past participle, you can also check the grammar sheets “Il passato prossimo dei verbi regolari”<\/a> and “Il passato prossimo dei verbi irregolari”<\/a> to review all the endings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choosing between essere <\/strong><\/em>and avere <\/strong><\/em>might be a challenge in the beginning, but don\u2019t worry\u2014practice makes it automatic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Spagnolo-.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. How is the passato prossimo formed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
the present tense of the auxiliary verb (essere <\/em><\/strong>or avere) <\/em><\/strong>plus the past participle<\/em> of the main verb.
– Ieri sono <\/strong>andato <\/em>al cinema.
– Abbiamo <\/strong>completato <\/em>tutti gli esercizi.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n2. When do we use avere?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
– Ho <\/strong>incontrato <\/em>Giulia.<\/span>
– Abbiamo <\/strong>comprato <\/em>una casa.<\/span><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n
– Ho <\/strong>viaggiato <\/em>molto quest\u2019estate.
– Carlo ha <\/strong>lavorato <\/em>tutto il giorno.<\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n3. When do we use essere<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
– Siamo <\/strong>andati <\/em>a scuola a piedi.
– \u00c8 <\/strong>arrivato <\/em>da Londra ieri sera.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n
– Questa mattina mi <\/em>sono <\/strong>svegliato <\/em>tardi.
– Ci <\/em>siamo <\/strong>sposati <\/em>due anni fa.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n
– Come sei <\/strong>stata <\/em>con i nuovi amici?
– Laura \u00e8 <\/strong>restata <\/em>all\u2019universit\u00e0 per studiare.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n
– Tua figlia \u00e8 <\/strong>diventata <\/em>grande!
– Sono <\/strong>dimagrita <\/em>di quattro chili.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n4. Past participle agreement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
– Anna e Valeria sono <\/strong>state<\/span> <\/em>a casa tutto il giorno.
– Gli studenti sono <\/strong>arrivati<\/span> <\/em>in ritardo.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n
– Avete <\/strong>dormito <\/em>bene questa notte?
– Hanno <\/strong>ricevuto <\/em>tanti regali.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Why is this rule so important?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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6. Want to learn more?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n