The Present Conditional in Italian: How To Use It 

Vorrei, Potrei, Dovrei: 3 very important conditional forms 

There are verbs whose conditional forms are very common, which are the conditional forms of the modal verbs volere, potere, and dovere. 

The conditional form of volere is 

Vorrei, vorresti, vorrebbe, vorremmo, vorreste, vorrebbero 

This is a verb that is translated as “I would like, you would like, etc.” or “I wish, you wish, etc..“

It’s also a form to use when we want to make an invitation.

For example:

• Vorresti venire a cena domani?  – Would you like to come to dinner tomorrow? 
• Vorreste fare un viaggio in Africa con noi?  – Would you like to travel to Africa with us?

The conditional form of potere is

Potrei, potresti, potrebbe, potremmo, potreste, potrebbero 

This verb is translated as ” I could” or “I would be able“

This form of the conditional is especially used to ask something politely or make a request less assertive.

• Potreste ripetere? – Could you repeat?
• Potresti mandarmi un’ email? – Could you send me an email? 

The conditional of dovere, which is

Dovrei, dovresti, dovrebbe, dovremmo, dovreste, dovrebbero 

This verb corresponds to the English “I should, you should, etc.”  and it’s used especially to give suggestions.  

• Dovresti dormire di più – You should sleep more 
• Non dovresti mangiare così tanti dolci – You shouldn’t eat so many sweets 

All of these verbs are followed by infinitive verbs (non conjugated verbs). 

The present conditional in an “if clause”

The present conditional in also used in the  “if clauses” together with the subjunctive forms.  

For example,

• Se avessi più tempo, studierei di più – If I had more time, I would study more
• Se vivessi al mare, ci andrei tutti i giorni – If I lived by the sea, I would go there every day