Tutto il direttivo si è dovuto dimettere.

Questions & Answers about Tutto il direttivo si è dovuto dimettere.

Why is the auxiliary verb è used here instead of ha with dovere?
Normally, dovere takes the auxiliary avere. However, the main verb here is the reflexive dimettersi (to resign). Because the reflexive pronoun si is placed before the conjugated verb, the modal verb is forced to take essere as its auxiliary instead.
Can I attach the si to the end of the infinitive instead?
Yes, you can! You could say Tutto il direttivo ha dovuto dimettersi. Notice that when you attach the pronoun to the end of the infinitive, the modal verb dovere goes back to using its normal auxiliary, avere.
If the subject were feminine, like tutta la squadra (the whole team), how would the past participle change?
It would become tutta la squadra si è dovuta dimettere. Because you are using the auxiliary essere, the past participle of the modal verb (dovuta) must agree in gender and number with the subject.
Since il direttivo refers to a group of people, can I use a plural verb?
No. In Italian, collective nouns like il direttivo, la famiglia, or il gruppo strictly take singular verbs and singular agreement. While English sometimes allows plural verbs for groups (like "the board have decided"), Italian grammar requires the singular.

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