8/9/25 Additions
Sapere e Conoscere (passato prossimo e imperfetto)
In the present tense, the verbs sapere and conoscere are both equivalent to the English verb “to know.”
Conoscere (to know; to be acquainted with) is followed by a direct object (a noun, a name, etc.)
Sapere (to know; to know how to do something) is always followed by an adverb or a verb in the infinitive (in which case it means “to be able to.”)
However, when used in the past tense (passato prossimo or imperfetto), the verbs sapere and conoscere take on different meanings.
When used in the passato prossimo:
Ho saputo che andrai in Italia la prossima estate.
[I found out / heard that you’re going to Italy next Summer.]
Ho conosciuto Angela tre anni fa.
[I met (for the 1st time) Carla three years ago.]
When used in the imperfetto:
Non sapevo che la scuola elementare in Italia dura cinque anni.
[I didn’t know that elementary school in Italy lasts 5 years.]
Sapevi parlare l’italiano quando ti sei trasferito a Bologna?
[Did you know how to speak Italian when you moved to Bologna?]
Non conoscevo Angela quattro anni fa.
[I didn’t know Angela four years ago.]
| Sapere | Conoscere | |
|---|---|---|
| Passato Prossimo | To find out / to hear | To meet someone for the first time |
| Imperfetto | To know something / to know how to do something | To know someone / something |
Potere, Volere e Dovere (passato prossimo e imperfetto)
The use of the modal verb, potere (can), volere (want), and dovere (must), in the imperfetto or passato prossimo can subtly change the meaning of a sentence.
The verbs potere, volere and dovere in the imperfetto indicate an intention, but not necessarily that the intention was carried through or happened.
The verbs dovere, potere, and volere in the passato prossimo indicate that something happened.
When we conjugate modal verbs in the passato prossimo, the auxiliary depends on the verb in the infinitive that follows the verbs potere, volere and dovere.
Sono potuto andare al cinema. [I could go to the movie theatre.]
Ho potuto guardare un bel film. [I could watch a nice movie.]
Maria è voluta tornare in Italia. [Maria wanted to go back to Italy.]
Maria ha voluto lavorare a Milano. [Maria wanted to work in Milan.]
Sono dovuto rimanere in biblioteca ieri. [I had to stay in the library yesterday.]
Ho dovuto studiare. [I had to study.]
| Imperfetto | Passato Prossimo | |
|---|---|---|
| Potere | Ieri sera potevo uscire con i miei amici ma alla fine sono rimasto a casa. Ero troppo stanco!
[Last night I could go out with my friends, but in the end I stayed home. I was too tired.] |
Ieri sera sono potuto uscire con i miei amici. (e sono uscito)
[Last night I could go out with my friends, and I actually did.] |
| Volere | Volevo passare il pomeriggio con mia nonna, ma lei purtroppo era impegnata. I wanted to spend the afternoon with my grandma, but unfortunately, she was busy. |
Ho voluto passare il pomeriggio con mia nonna per fare due chiacchiere con lei (e sono riuscita). I wanted to spend the afternoon with my grandma to chat with her (and I managed to do so.) |
| Dovere | Non sono uscito perché dovevo studiare (ma forse non ho studiato). I didn’t go out because I had to study (but maybe I didn’t). I was supposed to study. |
Non sono uscito perché ho dovuto studiare (e ho studiato). I didn’t go out because I had to study (and I did). |
NOTA BENE
The verb volere in the imperfetto is also used to ask something politely.
Volevo chiederLe un’informazione. [I wanted to ask you for some information.]
Volevo chiederti se puoi portare tu un dolce alla festa. [I wanted to ask you if you can bring a dessert at the party.]