Breakdown of Queste cose capitano: non è colpa tua.
essere
to be
non
not
queste
these (feminine)
tuo
your
la cosa
the thing
la colpa
the fault
capitare
to happen (by chance), to come up
Questions & Answers about Queste cose capitano: non è colpa tua.
What is the infinitive of capitano?
It comes from capitare, which means to happen or to occur. It is a regular -are verb, so the "they" form used for Queste cose (these things) is capitano.
Why isn't there an article before colpa tua? Shouldn't it be la tua colpa?
Usually, possessive adjectives need a definite article in front of them. However, in the very common phrase è colpa tua (it's your fault) or è colpa mia (it's my fault), the article is dropped. This is a set expression you will hear constantly when using the verb essere to assign or remove blame.
Why does tua come after colpa instead of before it?
How would I apply this lesson's grammar to say "These things COULD have happened"?
To say "could have happened", you add the modal verb potere (can/could). The rule is to look at the main verb to choose your auxiliary. The main verb capitare takes essere in the past tense (sono capitate). Therefore, your modal phrase also uses essere: Queste cose sono potute capitare. Notice how potute must change its ending to match the feminine plural Queste cose!
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