The subjunctive mood (il congiuntivo) expresses uncertainty, doubt, possibility. It conveys personal opinions and feelings rather than facts. In English, the subjunctive is hardly used: We suggest that he go home immediately, I wish you were here. In Italian the subjunctive is used often, in both speaking and writing.
In Italian, the subjunctive is mostly used in the dependent clause of a two-clause sentence and it is introduced by verbs in the indicative that express a wish desire, a demand, or a hope: desiderare, preferire, sperare, suggerire, volere, pensare, dubitare, etc..
The present subjunctive is formed by adding the appropriate endings to the infinitive stem. There are different endings for –are, -ere, and –ire verbs. Verbs ending with –ire that insert –isc– in the present indicative also do so in the present subjunctive.
Verbs ending in –care and –gare add h to all forms of the present subjunctive to retain the hard sound of c or g.
The subjunctive is used when the main clause and the subordinate clause have two different subjects. An infinitive is used if there is no change of subject.
Reflexive pronouns in the subjunctive precede the verb as in the indicative.
| Penso che Alessandro Baricco scriva molto bene. I think that Alessandro Baricco writes very well. Temo che loro dormano ancora. I’m afraid they are still sleeping. Crediamo che lei parli un buon italiano. We believe that she speaks good Italian. |
In Italian, the subjunctive is mostly used in the dependent clause of a two-clause sentence and it is introduced by verbs in the indicative that express a wish desire, a demand, or a hope: desiderare, preferire, sperare, suggerire, volere, pensare, dubitare, etc..
| L’insegnante suggerisce che gli studenti prendano appunti. The teacher suggests that the students take notes. Spero che tutti paghino le tasse. I hope that everyone pays taxes. I suoi genitori vogliono che lui passi l’esame. His parents want him to pass the exam. |
The present subjunctive is formed by adding the appropriate endings to the infinitive stem. There are different endings for –are, -ere, and –ire verbs. Verbs ending with –ire that insert –isc– in the present indicative also do so in the present subjunctive.
Ascoltare | Prendere | Partire | Finire | |
Che io | ascolti | prenda | parta | finisca |
Che tu | ascolti | prenda | parta | finisca |
Che lui/lei | ascolti | prenda | parta | finisca |
Che noi | ascoltiamo | prendiamo | partiamo | finiamo |
Che voi | ascoltiate | prendiate | partiate | finiate |
Che loro | ascoltino | Prendano | partano | finiscano |
Verbs ending in –care and –gare add h to all forms of the present subjunctive to retain the hard sound of c or g.
| Speriamo che l’Inter giochi bene. Let’s hope Inter plays well. Preferiamo che non paghiate voi. We prefer that you don’t pay. |
The subjunctive is used when the main clause and the subordinate clause have two different subjects. An infinitive is used if there is no change of subject.
| Non voglio aspettare a lungo. I don’t want to wait for so long. Non voglio che tu aspetti a lungo. I don’t want you to wait for so long. |
Reflexive pronouns in the subjunctive precede the verb as in the indicative.
| Patrizia spera che voi vi divertiate. Patrizia hopes you have fun. Patrizia spera di divertirsi. Patrizia hopes to have fun. Noi vogliamo che loro si alzino in tempo. We want them to get up on time. Noi vogliamo alzarci in tempo. We want to get up on time. |