Congiuntivo and conjunctions: the role of the Italian subjunctive

Welcome to our third exposure to the subjunctive: if you’ve read our previous articles, you should know how to use this important verbal mood; if you haven’t read them, you can find them here and hereToday we will end our journey by talking about the subjunctive mood “in real life”, especially its use with conjunctions, but before we continue, here is a brief summary of the main points about this unique feature of the Italian language:

• The subjunctive mood is used to express possibility, hope, fear, doubt and personal idea. In contrast, the demonstrative mood presents facts as true, real, and certain. i think you are happy: Subjunctive; i know you are happy: Indicative.

• it is often used in Dependent clauses introduced by che: I hope you go to Rome as soon as possible. careful!If the subjects of the two clauses are the same, use of + infinitive: I want to go to Rome soon.

• it is also used for independent clause Express doubt, wish, advice, exclamation. Long live Italy! You know how happy I am!

• It has four tenses: Gift, imperfect, the past, died.

subjunctive like conjunctions

we know the saying Subjunctive and conjunction both from latin connect, meaning to join, unite; our focus today is on conjunctions that require the subjunctive mood. Here is a list of the most common:

As always, there are exceptions: some conjunctions can follow the demonstrative or subjunctive, depending on whether we are expressing a fact or a possibility. Let’s put this all into practice and make it clearer: you’re having dinner at a friend’s house in your favorite Italian city; you’ve brought your hostess a present and are about to give it to her…

without that, before that

In this dialogue, the subjunctive mood is in the sentence i hope you haven’t forgotten and i thought you took it offintroduced by the verb hope and thinkDavid Hope and Carroll argue that we are far from a definite world where the subjunctive is mandatory.In the following sentences, the subjunctive mood is introduced by the conjunction forwardliterally “before then”, and Noliterally “without that”: before Elena sees it and doesn’t spoil it. forward Going forward, we’re talking about a not-yet-real move, and the same applies to No: We are still within the realm of possibility. As you can see, the subjunctive lives on in our thoughts and everyday speech.

Now let’s look at other common conjunctions.

why why

so that, Why, so that, so that (so that, in order to): All of these conjunctions express the purpose of an action, and they are followed by the subjunctive mood.

• I will explain the rules so you can understand. = I will explain the rules so you can understand.
• I explain the grammar in English so that you can all understand. = I explain the grammar in English so that you can all understand.

but about Why?does it mean Why/because? Not always. Why can also be a synonym for so that:

• I bought two movie tickets for you to come too.

I bought two movie tickets and asked you to come too; maybe you will come, maybe you won’t, this is a possibility.

• I bought two movie tickets because you came too.

The meaning here is different: I bought two tickets to the movie because you came too. You have come: it is true, aloneindicative.

Don’t worry!You don’t have to consider whether the facts are certain every time you choose a conjunction; with a few exceptions, the context always clarifies the meaning Why:

• I cook because I like to eat. = I cook because I like to eat.

• I go home and cook dinner for Elena. = I’m going home to cook and get Elena ready for dinner.

despite, despite, despite

Although, although, although: Although, although. Some examples:

• I learned it, but I didn’t understand the rules. = Although I study, I don’t understand the rules.

• I failed the exam although I was studying. = No matter how much I study, I fail the exam.

• Although I love the sea, I always go to the mountains. = Although I love the sea, I always go to the mountains.

• Even though I’m tired I’m going to dance = Even though I’m tired, I’m going to dance.

Note: conjunctions Although, even thoughAfter that is indicative:

• I go dancing even when I’m tired.= Even though I’m tired, I’m going to dance.

as if, almost

as if method as ifalthough allow method almost/almost like.

• I’m so happy, like I’m on vacation. = I am as happy as I am on vacation.

• This plastic is so clear it’s almost like glass. = This plastic is so clear it’s almost like glass.

allow and as if The imperfect subjunctive is required, a tense often used for imaginary situations: I’m not on vacation, this plastic is not glass. Here Italian is similar to English, and the past tense is also used in imaginary situations: If I won the lottery, I would buy a Ferrari. = If I win the lottery, I’ll buy a Ferrari.

the premise is that the premise is

A large group of conjunctions are used in conditional sentences, such as The premise is, The premise is, if only, in case, and, so far, in the eventelectronic, just in case, if say…

A few examples:

• In case tickets are sold out, I’ll watch the concert on TV. = If tickets are sold out, I will watch the concert on TV.

• I’m listening to you as long as you tell me the truth. = I will listen as long as you tell me the truth.

• if it’s true i’ll tell you. = If it is true, I will tell you.

Let’s wrap up an overview of Italian conjunctions that require the subjunctive, from a song by Lucio Dalla, one of the most popular Italian singer-songwriters of all time:

So she was alone in the room, the port room, the only dress was getting shorter every day, and although she didn’t know the name, or even the country, she waited for me as a gift of love, since the first month.

Can you spot the subjunctive mood? I bet you can!

Our video on the subjunctive mood:

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