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Verb Usage Review / 53
The examples have the same meaning, but in the first example, the use of imper-
fect express the intention of leaving and it doesn’t specify whether she left or not.
In the second example, the subject did in fact leave.
Present conditional
The present conditional of dovere, potere, and volere is often used instead of the
present tense, to soften the impact of a statement or request.
• Dovere: dovrei, dovresti . . . means “should” or “ought to” (in addition to
“would have to”) in contrast to the present tense devo (I must, I have to).
Dovresti metterti il cappotto. You should put on your coat.
• Potere: potrei, potresti . . . is equivalent to English “could,” “would be able
to,” and “would be allowed.”
Potrebbe dirmi che ore sono? Could you tell me what time is it?
Potrei andare io al tuo posto, se vuoi. I could go on your behalf, if you like.
• Volere: vorrei, vorresti . . . means “would want” or “would like”
Vorresti venire a cena? Would you like to come to dinner?
Vorrei studiare il francese. I would like to study French.
Past conditional
The past conditional of dovere + infinitive is equivalent to English “should have” or
“ought to have” + past participle (done something):
Saresti dovuto arrivare puntuale. You should have arrived on time.
The past conditional of potere + infinitive is equivalent to English “could (might)
have” + past participle:
Avrei potuto fare di più. I could have done more.
The past conditional of volere + infinitive is equivalent to English “would have
liked to” + infinitive:
Avrebbe voluto fare di più. He would have liked to do more.
Conditional Sentences
Conditional sentences have two parts: the se/if clause and the main clause. In the
sentence “If it rains I shall stay home,” “if it rains” is the if clause, and “I shall stay
at home” is the main clause. There are three kind of conditional sentences:
• Type 1 (probable): When real or possible situations are described, the se
clause is in the indicative, and the main clause is in the indicative or the
imperative, as shown in the examples below:
