Modal Subordinate Conjunctions

This week we will go over Italian modal subordinate conjunctions. These conjunctions introduce modal subordinate clauses and shed light on the manner in which the action in the main clause unfolds. For example:

nel modo che = in the way/manner that; often interchangeable with come.

Agisci nel modo che ritieni più opportuno. Act in the way/manner that you believe to be most appropriate.

In the sentence above, nel modo che serves as a modal conjunctive phrase and explains how the action in the main clause (to act) should be executed (i.e., in an “appropriate” manner). Here are some other conjunctions and conjunctive phrases of this type:

come = like

Ho dipinto la tavola proprio come mi hai detto. I painted the table just like you told me to.

The modal constructions come se and quasi suggest that the situation expressed in the subordinate clause is hypothetical or imagined, and therefore call for a verb in the subjunctive mood.

come se = as if

Benvenuta! Fa' come se fossi a casa tua. Welcome! Make yourself at home.

quasi = as if

Quasi essentially functions in the same way as come se, although it is normally used in a more formal context. In other words, it is seldom used in spoken, colloquial Italian.

Non ha capito nulla, quasi non avesse studiato il francese per quattro anni. He didn’t understand a thing, as if he hadn’t studied French for four years.