The Conditional mood is used to express desires, possibilities, and preferences. It corresponds to the English "would + verb". In order to actually happen in reality, the actions expressed with the conditional are normally dependent on the realization of certain conditions:
The Conditional is used in both independent clauses as well as in subordinate ones.
When appearing in independent clauses, the conditional mood is often used to express doubt, disbelief or irony in interrogative phrases.
Or to make a wish, a proposal or a statement sound less harsh (and more polite):
Above we see how to conjugate regular -ARE, -ERE and -IRE verbs. It’s important to note that the a in the -ARE stems turns into an e when conjugated in the conditional, as we see with ballare. Furthermore, the verb roots of conditional conjugations in Italian mirror the verb roots from the Italian Future Tense. In other words, the only things that differentiates both future and conditional conjugations are the endings themselves.
That said, when we have an irregular verb root in the Future Tense, we simply use this same verb root in the conditional:
Additionally, there are a couple exceptions in regards to the would translation. When the verbs potere, dovere, and volere are in the conditional, there is a slight shift in their meaning:
| Dormirei di più, ma devo andare al lavoro. I would sleep more, but I must go to work. |
The Conditional is used in both independent clauses as well as in subordinate ones.
When appearing in independent clauses, the conditional mood is often used to express doubt, disbelief or irony in interrogative phrases.
| Mi insegneresti ad usare il nuovo computer, per favore? Would you teach me how to use the new computer, please? Sarebbe quello il nuovo marito di Francesca?! (Would that be/ Is that) Francesca’s new husband?! |
Or to make a wish, a proposal or a statement sound less harsh (and more polite):
| Vorrei venire alla festa questa sera. I would like to come to the party tonight. Io avrei un’idea migliore: (I would have/I have) a better idea. |
Ballare | Credere | Partire | |
io | Ballerei | Crederei | Partirei |
tu | Balleresti | Crederesti | Partiresti |
lui/lei/Lei | Ballerebbe | Crederebbe | Partirebbe |
noi | Balleremmo | Crederemmo | Partiremmo |
voi | Ballereste | Credereste | Partireste |
loro/Loro | Ballerebbero | Crederebbero | Partirebbero |
Above we see how to conjugate regular -ARE, -ERE and -IRE verbs. It’s important to note that the a in the -ARE stems turns into an e when conjugated in the conditional, as we see with ballare. Furthermore, the verb roots of conditional conjugations in Italian mirror the verb roots from the Italian Future Tense. In other words, the only things that differentiates both future and conditional conjugations are the endings themselves.
That said, when we have an irregular verb root in the Future Tense, we simply use this same verb root in the conditional:
| Future: Purtroppo, domani sarò più impegnato di oggi! Unfortunately, tomorrow I will be busier than today! Conditional: Io sarei stanca al posto tuo. I would be tired if I were in your place. |
Additionally, there are a couple exceptions in regards to the would translation. When the verbs potere, dovere, and volere are in the conditional, there is a slight shift in their meaning:
| Potere= Potrei- → I could Dovere= Dovrei- → I should Volere= Vorrei- → I would like Potrebbe essere così. It could be like that. Dovresti partire ora per arrivare in tempo. You should leave now to arrive on time. Vorrei un cappuccino, per favore. I would like a cappuccino, please. |