Learn Hardcore Italian: Devo consegnare il progetto entro domani. - I have to submit the project by tomorrow.

Dovere is a modal verb meaning “to have to” or “must.” Devo is its first-person singular present form. So Devo consegnare… literally means I have to deliver… or I must submit….

Why is the infinitive consegnare used after devo instead of a finite verb?

Modal verbs in Italian (like dovere, potere, volere) are followed by a bare infinitive. You say devo consegnare (I must deliver), not something like devo che consegno.

What does entro mean, and why is it used with domani?

Entro means by in the sense of a deadline — “not later than.” Entro domani therefore means by tomorrow, setting the latest time for handing in the project.

Can I use a different preposition, like prima di domani or fino a domani?

Prima di domani (“before tomorrow”) is grammatically correct but less idiomatic for deadlines.
Fino a domani (“until tomorrow”) emphasizes duration or continuity, not a cut-off time.
For deadlines, prefer entro domani or colloquially per domani.

Why is it il progetto and not lo progetto?

Progetto is a masculine singular noun beginning with a simple consonant (p), so its definite article is il. Lo is reserved for words starting with z, s + consonant, gn, ps, pn, etc.

Could I place entro domani at the beginning of the sentence?

Yes. Italian word order is flexible. You can say Entro domani devo consegnare il progetto for emphasis or stylistic variety.

How would you include a direct-object pronoun like lo (it) in this sentence?

With an infinitive, attach the pronoun to the end:
Devo consegnarlo entro domani.
You could also say Lo devo consegnare entro domani, but enclitic attachment (consegnarlo) is more common after a modal verb.

Is there any nuance between devo consegnare il progetto entro domani and dovrò consegnare il progetto entro domani?

Yes. Devo is present-tense (“I have to…”) indicating an immediate obligation. Dovrò is future-tense (“I will have to…”) suggesting that the need will arise later or is a prediction about your own obligation.

Could I say Ho bisogno di consegnare il progetto entro domani instead?

Yes. Ho bisogno di… means I need to…, focusing on personal need. Devo… expresses a stronger or more formal obligation, while ho bisogno di… sounds softer and more conversational.

What’s the pronunciation tip for progetto with the double tt?

Double consonants in Italian are held or “geminated.” You pronounce progetto as pro-GET-to, with the t sound slightly longer than in a single-t word.