Lesson 125: Modals in the conditional / I verbi modali al condizionale

Modals change their meanings in the conditional tense and are often used to make a statement more polite and to soften requests:

• Dovere, in the present tense, means to have to or must. In the conditional, the meaning becomes should, ought to, or would have to.
  
  Dovremmo donare di piu in beneficenza ogni anno.
  We ought to donate more to charity every year.
  
  Dovrei trovare un nuovo lavoro quest'anno.
  I should find a new job this year.
  
  
• Potere in the conditional becomes could, would be able to or would be allowed to:
  
  Non potrei trovare il ristorante in mappa.
  I could not find the restaurant on the map.
  
  Potresti aiutarmi con i compiti?
  Would you be able to help me with the homework?
  
  
• Volere in the conditional a more polite form to the present tense and translates as would want or would like.
  
  Vorrei un bicchiere di vino.
  I would like a glass of wine.
  
  Vorresti andare all'opera domani sera?
  Would you like to go to the opera tomorrow evening?
  
  
• Would like can also be expressed with the conditional of the verb, piacere:
  
  Mi piacerebbe visitare tutti i monumenti famosi a Roma.
  I would like to visit all of the famous monuments in Rome.
  
  Ci piacerebbero due biglietti per la commedia.
  We would like two tickets for the play.