Punto di partenza
The verbs dovere (to have to/must; to owe), potere
(to be able to/can), and volere (to want) are irregular.
All three are commonly used in two-verb constructions
with infinitives to express what someone has to, can, or
wants to do.
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Dovere is normally used with other verbs to express
obligation. Use a conjugated form of dovere +
[infinitive] to express what has to or must be done.
Devo scaricare il documento.
I must download the document.
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Dovete comporre il numero.
You have to dial the number.
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In addition to obligation, dovere + [infinitive] can
imply probability.
Non risponde! La segreteria telefonica deve essere spenta.
There’s no answer! The answering machine must be off.
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Dovere also means to owe. In this case, dovere is
used without another verb.
Devi cento euro alla mamma?
Do you owe Mom 100 euros?
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Non dobbiamo niente.
We don’t owe anything.
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Like dovere, potere is normally used with other verbs.
The verb that follows potere must always be in the
infinitive form.
Puoi salvare la password?
Are you able to save the
password?
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Non posso accendere la TV.
I am not able to turn on the TV.
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Potere can express either ability (the equivalent of
can in English) or permission to do something
(may in English).
Non posso trovare il telecomando!
I can’t find the remote control!
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Posso usare il tuo cellulare?
May I use your cell phone?
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Volere can be used either with nouns or with verbs in
the infinitive form.
Vuoi comprare un computer?
Do you want to buy a computer?
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Sì, voglio un nuovo computer.
Yes, I want a new computer.
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In Lezione 2B you learned the expression avere
voglia di. Use this expression to mean to feel like
having/doing something; use the verb volere to
express to want.
Hai voglia di guardare la TV?
Do you feel like watching TV?
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Vogliono navigare in rete.
They want to surf the Web.
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Volere followed by the infinitive dire (to say; to tell)
expresses to mean. Use the expression Cosa vuol
dire...? to ask what something means. Note that
the form vuole is commonly shortened to vuol in
this construction.
Se squilla, vuol dire che funziona.
If it rings, it means it’s working.
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Cosa vogliono dire queste frasi?
What do these sentences mean?
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Completa ogni frase con la forma corretta del
verbo indicato.
dovere
devi
1. Tu ________
tornare a mezzogiorno?
2. Virginia ________ mangiare alle dodici e trenta.
3. Noi ________ dare alla mamma venti euro.
potere
4. Io non ________ lavare i piatti (dishes) stasera.
5. Tu ________ comprare i biglietti per il cinema?
6. Gianna ________ andare all’università in bicicletta.
volere
7. Voi ________ andare al ristorante domenica?
8. Anna, ________ un caffè o un cappuccino?
9. I professori ________ preparare un esame facile.
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