The Condizionale passato in Italian: When and How to Use It In Italian we use it to talk about actions that could have, would have, or should have happened — but didn’t, or we’re not sure if they did. How: present conditional of “essere” or “avere” + past participle of the verb. ✅ Examples: Sarei andato al concerto. → I would have gone to the concert. 1. To talk about something that didn’t happen in the past to express an action that could have happened, should have happened, or was planned, but didn’t take place. 🟢 Examples: I would have come, but I was sick. → Sarei venuto, ma ero malato. We would have traveled more, if we had more money. → Avremmo viaggiato di più, se avessimo avuto più soldi. 2. In third conditional sentences (imagining a different past) This is the typical “what if” scenario. The structure is: If + past perfect subjunctive, past conditional. 🟢 Examples: If I had studied more, I would have passed. → Se avessi studiato di più, avrei superato l’esame. 3. For unconfirmed or reported information in the past It is common in news, journalism, or storytelling. It expresses something uncertain, reported, or unverified. 🟢 Examples: The thief is said to have entered through the window. → Il ladro sarebbe entrato dalla finestra. 4. For politeness or softening statements (with volere, potere, dovere) it is also used to sound more polite, especially in criticism or requests 🟢 Examples: I would have liked to talk to you earlier. → Avrei voluto parlarti prima. You could have told me. → Avresti potuto dirmelo. 5. To express missed future plans, seen from a past point of view This is a subtle and important use: when someone in the past thought, imagined, or expected something to happen in the future but it didn't happen. Structure: Verb in the imperfect (e.g. pensavo, credevo, speravo) + past conditional 🟢 Examples: I thought we would go to the beach tomorrow. → Pensavo che saremmo andati al mare domani. A presto! Marco