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⏳ Compendium
Grammar
IT
Italiano — volerci vs. metterci
Both volerci and metterci express how much time something needs, but volerci is impersonal (the time is required) while metterci has a personal subject (a person spends the time).
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How it works
✓ Rule
volerci is impersonal and agrees with the following noun: Ci vuole un'ora but Ci vogliono due ore. metterci takes a personal subject and is conjugated for that person: (Io) ci metto un'ora, Lui ci mette troppo.
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Examples
| Example | Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ci vuole un'ora. | volerci | It takes an hour (impersonal; singular) |
| Ci vogliono tre ore. | volerci | It takes three hours (plural → vogliono) |
| Ci vuole pazienza. | volerci | Patience is needed (a thing is required) |
| (Io) ci metto un'ora. | metterci | I take an hour (personal subject) |
| Lui ci mette troppo. | metterci | He takes too long |
| Quanto tempo ci hai messo? | metterci | How long did it take you? (past, personal) |
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Good to know
⚠ Note
In compound tenses volerci uses essere (Ci sono volute due ore), while metterci uses avere (Ci ho messo due ore). Don't say Ci ho voluto for time — the auxiliary and the impersonal/personal split must match.