Constato

Constato is the first-person singular present indicative form of the Italian verb constatare, meaning to ascertain, observe, or verify. It is used to report that the speaker has determined or noticed a fact. In everyday speech it is less common than more colloquial verbs, but it appears regularly in formal writing, journalism, scientific reports, and administrative contexts.

Origin and use

Constatare derives from a Latin root related to establishing or proving something. In Italian, constatare is used to express that a conclusion has been reached based on evidence or observation. The form constato is paired with a che-clause to present the finding: Io constato che i dati sono incoerenti (I ascertain that the data are inconsistent). The verb also forms a compound tense with avere: ho constatato (I have ascertained).

Conjugation and examples

Constato belongs to the first conjugation (-are) verbs. Present tense forms include: io constato, tu constati, lui/lei consta, noi constatamo, voi constatate, loro constatano. The past participle is constatato, used with avere to form the passato prossimo: ho costatato is archaic; the common form is ho constatato. Example: Ho constatato un errore nei dati. Translation: I have observed an error in the data.

Related terms

Related nouns include constatazione (finding, observation, ascertainment) and constatare in its broader sense of verification. The verb is closely related to other Italian verbs for verification and observation, such as verificare and osservare.

Notes

Constato is appropriate in formal or technical writing, where claims must be supported by evidence. In casual speech, speakers may opt for simpler verbs like vedere, notare, or capire depending on the context.