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Learn how to form and use the passato prossimo with the auxiliary verb "avere" in Italian. This lesson covers the conjugation of "avere," forming past participles, and using this structure to describe completed actions with transitive verbs. Examples include sentences like "Ho sentito un rumore forte." Understand key differences from English and practice useful phrases to build your Italian past tense skills at the A1 level.
  1. We use the verb "avere" with transitive verbs.
  2. With the auxiliary avere, the past participle remains unchanged.
Coniugazione di 'avere' (Conjugation of 'to have')Participio  (Past participle)Esempio (Example)
Io hoSentitoHo sentito un rumore forte. (I heard a loud noise.)
Tu haiHai sentito delle emozioni forti. (You have heard strong emotions.)
Lui/lei haHai sentito molta felicità. (You have heard much happiness.)
Noi abbiamoAbbiamo sentito della rabbia. (We heard about the anger.)
Voi aveteAvete sentito un bel suono. (You have heard a beautiful sound.)
Loro hannoHanno sentito dei rumori. (They have heard some noises.)

Exercise 1: Il passato prossimo con avere

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

hai sentito, ho fatto, abbiamo mangiato, avete parlato, ha parlato, ha compiuto, ha cucinato, abbiamo sentito

1. Fare:
Io ... in pane in casa.
(I made the bread at home.)
2. Parlare:
Lui ... tutta la notte.
(He talked to him all night.)
3. Sentire:
Noi ... delle emozioni forti.
(We felt strong emotions.)
4. Compiere:
Lei ... 20 anni.
(She has turned 20 years old.)
5. Mangiare:
Noi ... poco.
(We ate little.)
6. Sentire:
Tu ... quel rumore strano?
(Did you hear that strange noise?)
7. Parlare:
Voi ... per ore ieri sera.
(You spoke for hours last night.)
8. Cucinare:
Lui ... con le spezie.
(He cooked with the spices.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Noi ______ partiti presto stamattina per arrivare in orario.

(We ______ left early this morning to arrive on time.)

2. Lei ______ tornata felice dopo il viaggio di lavoro.

(She ______ came back happy after the business trip.)

3. Io ______ arrivato a casa alle sette di sera.

(I ______ arrived home at seven in the evening.)

4. Loro ______ usciti dal ristorante felici della serata.

(They ______ left the restaurant happy about the evening.)

5. Tu ______ rimasta sorpresa dalla notizia del collega.

(You ______ were surprised by the colleague's news.)

6. Noi ______ stati molto contenti della festa ieri sera.

(We ______ were very happy with the party last night.)

Understanding the Past Tense with "Avere"

This lesson focuses on the Italian past tense known as passato prossimo, specifically when it is formed with the auxiliary verb "avere". This is a key foundation for beginners at the A1 level to talk about completed actions in the recent past.

How the Past Tense is Formed

Passato prossimo with "avere" is constructed by combining the present tense of avere (to have) + the past participle of the main verb. For example, "ho sentito" means "I heard" or "I have heard." This structure is used with transitive verbs—those that take a direct object.

Examples of "Avere" Conjugation

  • Io ho sentito un rumore forte. (I heard a loud noise.)
  • Tu hai sentito delle emozioni forti. (You felt strong emotions.)
  • Lui/lei ha sentito molta felicità. (He/she felt much happiness.)
  • Noi abbiamo sentito della rabbia. (We felt anger.)
  • Voi avete sentito un bel suono. (You all heard a beautiful sound.)
  • Loro hanno sentito dei rumori. (They heard noises.)

Important Highlights

With "avere," the past participle does not change according to gender or number, which simplifies learning. This stability contrasts with verbs that use "essere" as the auxiliary, where participles must agree with the subject.

Important Notes on Usage

Italian uses "avere" to form the past tense mostly with verbs that take a direct object (transitive verbs), while "essere" is used with intransitive verbs, reflexive verbs, and some motion verbs. This distinction is important for learners to grasp.

Comparison with English

Unlike English, which often uses "have" + past participle but without auxiliary verb agreement, Italian requires conjugating "avere" to match the subject in person and number (e.g., "ho," "hai," "ha"). Also, Italian uses two auxiliary verbs (avere and essere) depending on the main verb, whereas English primarily uses "have."

Useful Phrases

  • ho sentito – I heard / I've heard
  • hai sentito – You heard / You've heard
  • ha sentito – He/she heard / has heard
  • abbiamo sentito – We heard / have heard
  • avete sentito – You (plural) heard / have heard
  • hanno sentito – They heard / have heard

This lesson is essential for building confidence in talking about past experiences and events using the common and useful past tense with "avere."

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This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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Fabio Pirioni

Bachelor in Humanities

University of Udine

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Last Updated:

Tuesday, 15/07/2025 09:10