The auxiliaries be and have not only have the task of “helping” the verbs to form the compound tenses of the various conjugations, but are also used independently with different meanings.
1. The verb Essere
A). Essere is used alone as a copulative verb, to connect the subject to a noun or an adjective:
- Manuel è un amico di Lorenzo.
- Manuel is a friend of Lorenzo.
- Camilla è noiosa.
- Camilla is annoying.
B). Essere is used alone with the meaning of “trovarsi“:
- Dove siete?
- Where are you?
- Siamo in Via Nomentana davanti alla chiesa.
- We are in Nomentana street in front of the church.
C). Essere is used alone with the meaning of “verificarsi” in the expressions c’è, ci sono, vi sono (preceded by the atonal pronouns ci and vi):
- C’è un problema.
- There is a problem.
- Ci sono stati dei problemi.
- There were some problems.
- Vi sarà un cambiamento.
- There will be a change.
D). Essere is used with the meaning of ‘succedere‘ in the expression c’è (3rd person singular preceded by the atonic pronoun ci).
- Che c’è?
- What’s up?
- C’è che siamo in un bel guaio.
- We’re in a bit of trouble.
2. The verb Avere
When Avere is used alone it can indicate:
A). A possession:
- Annalisa ha una bicicletta nuova.
- Annalisa has a new bicycle.
B). A state:
- Abbiamo sonno.
- We are sleepy.
- Ho mal di pancia.
- I have bellyache.
- Abbiamo paura.
- We are afraid.
C). A quality:
- Antonio ha una sensibilità musicale straordinaria.
- Antonio has an extraordinary musical sensitivity.
D). A family relationship:
- Ho due figli grandi.
- I have two grown children.
- Luigi ha avuto tre mogli.
- Luigi had three wives.