In Italian, the Conditional Mood--both present and past--is used in independent clauses for a variety of reasons:
1) In order to attenuate peremptory requests, orders and suggestions. It is used to express courtesy and politeness (condizionale di cortesia).
NB: Volere in the conditional, as shown in the example above, is normally used to politely ask for something at a restaurant, bar, or any sort of shop.
2) The conditional is used often in journalism/in the news to highlight the uncertainty of the information that is about to be disclosed. In Italian, this is referred to as condizionale di dissociazione (The Dissociative Conditional) which further emphasizes that the speaker is relaying information that is most likely true, but that he or she is not absolutely certain of.
4) To express doubt, disbelief or irony in interrogative phrases.
5) In the main clause of a hypothetical construction/ an “If-Clause”:
1) In order to attenuate peremptory requests, orders and suggestions. It is used to express courtesy and politeness (condizionale di cortesia).
| Vorrei che tu venissi con noi questa sera. I would like you to come with us tonight. Io avrei un consiglio per te. (I would have/I have) a piece of advice for you. Vorrei una fetta di torta. I would like a piece/slice of cake. |
NB: Volere in the conditional, as shown in the example above, is normally used to politely ask for something at a restaurant, bar, or any sort of shop.
2) The conditional is used often in journalism/in the news to highlight the uncertainty of the information that is about to be disclosed. In Italian, this is referred to as condizionale di dissociazione (The Dissociative Conditional) which further emphasizes that the speaker is relaying information that is most likely true, but that he or she is not absolutely certain of.
- If the event has already happened, the conditional perfect is used:
Secondo il portavoce del ministro l'accordo commerciale sarebbe stato firmato questa mattina.
According to the Minister’s spokesman, the trade agreement was/would have been signed this morning. - If the event is happening concurrently to when it is announced, the present conditional is required:
A bordo dell'imbarcazione ci sarebbero 100 persone.
Aboard the ship there are/should be (approximately) 100 people.
| Sarebbe stupendo cenare in riva al lago questa sera! Eating dinner along the lake’s shore this evening would be amazing! Ci sarebbe piaciuto partecipare all’incontro. We would have liked to attend the meeting. |
4) To express doubt, disbelief or irony in interrogative phrases.
| Dici davvero? Mi passeresti la tua ricetta del risotto allo zafferano? Are you serious? Would you share your recipe for saffron risotto with me? Sarebbe questa la nuova macchina di Carlo?! (Would this be/ Is this) Carlo’s new car?! |
5) In the main clause of a hypothetical construction/ an “If-Clause”:
| Parteciperemmo al concorso, se sapessimo ballare il tango. We would participate in the contest, if we knew how to dance tango. Se avessi avuto tempo, mi sarebbe piaciuto studiare l'italiano. If I had had time, I would have liked to study Italian. |