Past Tense Introduction (Passato Prossimo)

Talking About the Past: Passato Prossimo

To say what you did or where you went in the past, use the Passato Prossimo. It is made of two parts: a helper verb (auxiliary) essere (to be) or avere (to have), plus a main past participle (like parlato or andato).

When to use AVERE (most verbs):

Most verbs use avere. For example: ho mangiato (I have eaten) or ho visitato (I have visited).

When to use ESSERE (movement and state):

Verbs of movement (like going, coming, arriving) and reflexive verbs use essere. When using essere, the past participle must match the gender and number of the subject!

• Sono andato (I went - male)
• Sono andata (I went - female)

Common Mistakes

Don't always use 'have'! Saying 'ho andato' is incorrect because 'andare' requires 'essere' (sono andato).