italiano · B1 · verb · 4 minutes
Dovere in the present conditional
Give advice or express an expected outcome with dovr-.
Understand the choice
Conditional dovere softens an obligation into advice or presents an expected event with some uncertainty. Context distinguishes recommendation from prediction.
Core rule: Dovere uses conditional stem dovr-; followed by an infinitive it often means should.
Notice it in context
Dovresti salvare il documento prima di chiudere la pagina.
You should save the document before closing the page.
Dovresti addresses tu; salvare is recommended action; prima di adds precaution.
Il treno dovrebbe arrivare verso mezzogiorno.
The train should arrive around noon.
Dovrebbe expresses expected but not guaranteed arrival.
Dovremmo chiedere un secondo parere.
We should ask for a second opinion.
Dovremmo frames collective advice.
What to remember
- Present devi is stronger: devi partire means you must leave.
- Dovrò is future; dovrei conditional.
Common trap: Do not conjugate the advised action: dovreste aspettare.