A map of the Italian verb system, with one verb, mangiare, shown in the io form throughout. English forms most tenses with helper words such as “will”, “would” and “was”. Italian usually shows the tense in the verb ending.
Where each tense sits in time
The band represents the imperfetto: an ongoing or repeated situation in the past. Each other tense is shown as a point. Hollow dots mark tenses to learn later.
everyday needed from the startlater useful once the basics are solidrecognise read it, no need to produce it
Several English forms, one Italian tense
A solid line is the usual match. A dashed line is also common: plain “I ate” can be a habit, and everyday Italian often uses the present for the near future (Domani mangio fuori).
Tense by tense
Regular endings are shown on parlare, prendere and dormire, with the ending in red.
Things English speakers trip on
There is no separate tense for “I am eating”. The present covers it. Use sto mangiando to stress that the action is happening right now.
English “I ate” can correspond to two Italian tenses. The Past tenses page shows how to choose.
One letter separates future from conditional in the noi form: parleremo (we will speak), parleremmo (we would speak).
The future can also express a guess about the present: Sarà a casa (He’s probably at home).
Some common verbs have an irregular stem in the future and conditional: andrò, avrò, sarò, potrò, verrò, vorrò. The Irregular verbs page has the present forms.