What is the conjugation of potere, volere, and dovere?
As we saw in a previous lesson about the irregular future tense, we use the future tense to talk about something that will happen or will be true in the future.
In Italian, we mainly use the present tense to talk about the future. However, it’s important to know how to use and spot the future tense.
Potere, volere, and dovere are irregular verbs, which means they do not follow a predictable conjugation pattern. So, we just need to know it by heart.
In any case, we can easily spot the future tense because of the presence of the letter “r” in the conjugation.
Potere, volere, and dovere are usually followed by other verbs in the infinitive (the base form such as mangiare, bere, and dormire).
For now, let’s just look at some examples with the three verbs:
Non potrò venire quest’estate.
I will not be able to come this summer.
Luigi non vorrà andare al mare.
Luigi will not want to go to the sea.
Dovrete pulire tutto.
You will have to clean everything.
How to use potere?
The verb potere simply means can or to be able to. We use it to talk about a possibility.
Let’s have a look at the conjugation of this verb in the future tense:
| io | potrò |
| tu | potrai |
| lui / lei | potrà |
| noi | potremo |
| voi | potrete |
| loro | potranno |
Here are some examples:
Purtroppo, stasera non potremo venire.
Unfortunately, we will not be able to come tonight.
Certo che potrai andare in vacanza.
You will be able to go on holiday for sure.
How to use volere?
This verb means to want to. We use it when we want to express our will to do something.
Here’s its conjugation in the future:
| io | vorrò |
| tu | vorrai |
| lui / lei | vorrà |
| noi | vorremo |
| voi | vorrete |
| loro | vorranno |
And here’re some examples:
Lei non vorrà mangiare fuori.
She will not want to eat outside.
Cosa vorranno fare?
What will they want to do?
How to use dovere?
Dovere means must or to have to. We use it to talk about an obligation or necessity.
Let’s have a look at it’s conjugation in the future tense:
| io | dovrò |
| tu | dovrai |
| lui / lei | dovrà |
| noi | dovremo |
| voi | dovrete |
| loro | dovranno |
Let’s now look at some examples:
Cosa dovrete comprare?
What will you have to buy?
Dovremo studiare tanto per quell’esame.
We’ll have to study a lot for that exam.
