This week’s lesson will focus on two different types of subordinate conjunctions. First, we will go over a number of oppositional subordinate conjunctions, after which we will introduce a group of subordinate conjunctions and conjunctive phrases that express exceptions, exclusions and limitations.
quando = when, even when
mentre = whereas, while
mentre invece = whereas, while (informal, used mainly in spoken Italian)
laddove = whereas, when on the contrary (formal)
The main clause in the example above expresses perplexity regarding a statement previously made by an individual, while the subordinate clause elaborates on the source of such perplexity.
Below is another example, featuring the oppositional subordinate conjunction mentre:
In the sentence above, the main clause expresses how the speaker waited for someone at the station, while the subordinate clause explains how a different turn of events unfolded, i.e., that the person who was expected to arrive by train decided to take another means of travel. Mentre can sometimes be followed by invece, becoming therefore a conjunctive phrase.
Laddove is normally only used in formal contexts and in writing:
Except for fuorché and senza, exception and exclusion-expressing conjunctive phrases require a verb in the subjunctive mood:
eccetto che = unless
salvo che = unless
tranne che = unless
a meno che = unless
fuorché = unless, except (often used with infinite verb forms)
senza / senza che = without (+ gerund)
per quanto = as far as
per quello che = as far as
Exception-expressing subordinate conjunctions:
Fuorché, eccetto, salvo, tranne can also act as prepositions, and translate in English as except:
Exclusion-expressing subordinate conjunctions:
Limitation-Expressing subordinate conjunctions indicate the limited scope within which the statement in the main clause is valid. In other words, they highlight the overall level of validity of the full sentence. For example:
An English equivalent to as far as, the conjunctive phrases per quanto and per quello che indicate that the speaker is not completely certain about a situation or event, which, in this case, is the union’s decision whether to lift a strike threat or not.
Part One: Oppositional Subordinate Conjunctions
Oppositional Subordinate Conjunctions introduce a circumstance or situation that has a somewhat clashing relationship with an event in the main clause. We will explore the following conjunctions:quando = when, even when
mentre = whereas, while
mentre invece = whereas, while (informal, used mainly in spoken Italian)
laddove = whereas, when on the contrary (formal)
| Non capisco perché ti lamenti di essere stanco, quando ho guidato io tutto il pomeriggio. I don’t understand why you’re complaining about being tired, when I’m the one that drove all afternoon. |
The main clause in the example above expresses perplexity regarding a statement previously made by an individual, while the subordinate clause elaborates on the source of such perplexity.
Below is another example, featuring the oppositional subordinate conjunction mentre:
| Lo aspettavamo alla stazione, mentre (invece) lui aveva deciso di venire in macchina. We waited for him at the station, while he had decided to come over by car. |
In the sentence above, the main clause expresses how the speaker waited for someone at the station, while the subordinate clause explains how a different turn of events unfolded, i.e., that the person who was expected to arrive by train decided to take another means of travel. Mentre can sometimes be followed by invece, becoming therefore a conjunctive phrase.
Laddove is normally only used in formal contexts and in writing:
| Hai deciso di agire di testa tua, laddove era il caso di sentire l’opinione di un esperto. You decided to do things on your own, whereas you should have consulted an expert. |
Part Two: Exception/Exclusion/Limitation-Expressing Subordinate Conjunctions
The conjunctions and conjunctive phrases we’ll be exploring in this part of our lesson present exceptions, exclusions, or limitations/restrictions to the action taking place in the main clause.Except for fuorché and senza, exception and exclusion-expressing conjunctive phrases require a verb in the subjunctive mood:
eccetto che = unless
salvo che = unless
tranne che = unless
a meno che = unless
fuorché = unless, except (often used with infinite verb forms)
senza / senza che = without (+ gerund)
per quanto = as far as
per quello che = as far as
Exception-expressing subordinate conjunctions:
| Il candidato terrà il comizio nella piazza del paese, eccetto che/salvo che/tranne che/a meno che piova. The candidate will give his speech in the town square, unless it rains. Oggi non ho voglia di fare niente fuorché vedere un paio di film. I don’t feel like doing anything today except watch a couple of movies. |
Fuorché, eccetto, salvo, tranne can also act as prepositions, and translate in English as except:
| Mi piace mangiare di tutto eccetto/salvo/tranne i frutti i mare. I like to eat everything except shellfish. Puoi mangiare tutte le cose che vedi nel frigorifero fuorché il pasticcio. Feel free to eat everything you see in the fridge except the pie. |
Exclusion-expressing subordinate conjunctions:
| Tutti i partecipanti hanno accettato la mia proposta senza fare commenti. All participants accepted my proposal without making comments. Senza che ce ne accorgessimo, è uscita di casa. Without our noticing it, she left home. |
Limitation-Expressing subordinate conjunctions indicate the limited scope within which the statement in the main clause is valid. In other words, they highlight the overall level of validity of the full sentence. For example:
| Per quanto/Per quello che ne so, il sindacato ha revocato lo sciopero. As far as I know, the union has lifted the strike. |
An English equivalent to as far as, the conjunctive phrases per quanto and per quello che indicate that the speaker is not completely certain about a situation or event, which, in this case, is the union’s decision whether to lift a strike threat or not.