In my opinion, the pasta was overcooked!
Imagine an evening at the house of Italian friends, let’s call them Elena and Marco: a few laughs, an appetizer, maybe prosecco or splits, while you wait to be seated with your friends. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, you walk around the kitchen with a glass in hand, the host is cooking, chatting:
Mark: Elena, I think the pasta is undercooked, hurry up! (Elena, I think the pasta is cooked, come on!)
Elena: Yes, ready! David, I hope you and Carol are hungry because I made a lot tonight! (Yes, done! David, I hope you and Carol are hungry because I made a lot tonight!)
David: Of course we have an appetite! (of course we were hungry!)
Elena: Oh, I’m afraid the wine is out… (Oh, I’m afraid we’re out of wine…)
Mark: No, it seems that there are two bottles of red wine…Here! on the table! (No, I think there are two more bottles of red wine…here! Let’s eat!)
This dialogue is full of the subjunctive mood (yes, have, they are), is a perfectly normal swap that can be done in any kitchen, from north to south of the Italian boot – boots.
we have explained forward The question of whether the subjunctive is worth learning is the wrong question; it’s such an important part of our language that it’s found everywhere, even in the kitchen!
Now read the dialogue again and focus on the phrases associated with the subjunctive mood. As you may have noticed, the subjunctive is often used with expressions that express personal opinions, hopes, fears; in a word, subjectivity. These are what we found in our conversations: In my opinion, in my hope, in my fear, in my opinion.
You can easily see how the subjunctive mood is a powerful tool for Italians to express opinions and convey a wide range of feelings, such as uncertainty, possibility, doubt, desire, in short, all uncertain facts. Always remember the contrast with the king of objectivity, the indicative mood, which instead shows that the facts are real, true, and certain.
Compare the affirmative declarative with the more dubious subjunctive:
- I know the culprit is the milkman! I know the milkman is the culprit! (Here we can imagine a loud fist hitting the table, as if to sweep away any shadow of doubt)
- Instead, I believe the culprit is Postman. I actually think postman is the culprit. (Picture here a mind more open to possibilities, less sure everything is black and white)
You may have noticed that in our examples, the subjunctive mood is not used in the main clause: our goal today is precisely to understand when to use it in the subordinate clause. Here are some how-to guides.
Use the subjunctive mood:
- When there is an opinion verb in the main clause: I feel like the world is changing so fast. I feel like the world is changing so fast.
- When there are verbs of will, doubt, desire, feeling, control in the main clause: I suspect you understand the situation: the principal orders everyone to wear school uniform. I suspect you understand the situation: the principal orders everyone to wear school uniform.
- In some objective terms: Looks like Sandra won the lottery! It’s no coincidence that he wants to buy a Ferrari! Sandra seems to have won the lottery! It’s no coincidence that she wants to buy a Ferrari!
- Indirect question: I wonder why Sergio is always late. I wonder why Sergio is always late.
- conjunction although, although, although, Although: Although it is difficult, the students listen carefully. Students pay close attention to even difficult subjects.
careful: conjunction Although Take the indicative: Even if it’s late, I want to read my book. Although it is late, I still want to read my book.
- In a conditional sentence: If you understood the question, you wouldn’t be asking me this question. If you understood the question, you wouldn’t be asking me this question.
This list is not exhaustive, but it may provide some clues and point you in the right direction.
In the cases above, the use of the subjunctive is required, and it is not a matter of personal preference; conversely, at other times, the subjunctive is not mandatory, although it indicates a higher register and a more elegant style.
For example, we can use two forms:
- When a subordinate clause appears before a main clause: Everyone knows Paul loves/loves wine. Paul loves wine and everyone knows it.
- When the main clause is negative: I’m not saying you’re lazy. I’m not saying you’re lazy.
- when the main verb is Know A dependent clause is an indirect matter: I don’t know if it’s the case to ask these questions. I don’t know if it’s appropriate to ask these questions.
Now, all these do’s and don’ts can be so dizzying that many people end up using the subjunctive even when it’s not needed, just to be on the safe side. However, we should remember that we don’t need the subjunctive mood after expressions that convey firm certainty:
- it is true/indisputable/correct/obviously/Sure: Obviously you haven’t learned it! Obviously you haven’t learned it!
- I know: I know you haven’t learned it! I know you didn’t study!
- Verbs to say, such as scary, Announce, assertion, Tell, Write: The president said the situation was improving. The president announced that the situation was improving.
Finally, a puzzling but important exception to remember: we don’t use the subjunctive after expressions in my opinion, in my opinion. For example: I think you are right! In my opinion, you are right.
At this point, we have made the concepts of objectivity (indicative) and subjectivity (virtual) our own. However, before we say goodbye, I want to leave you with some thoughts on verbs… think, think.
think Not always with subjunctive mood. You may find it strange, because thinking is the most typical subjective behavior.it’s true when the verb think method believe Personal opinions, subjective views are thus expressed.but sometimes the verb think method concentrate on, reflection, in which case it takes an indicative. Compare:
- I think Viola spent 500 euros on that bag. I think Viola spent 500 euros on that bag. I’m not sure how much Viola cost.
- I’d be mad if I thought Viola spent 500 euros on that bag. Just thinking about Viola spending 500 euros on that bag makes me mad. Here, I focus on an absolutely true fact. Viola really spent a lot of money on that bag!
Now, happy subjunctive, everyone!
Our video on the subjunctive mood:
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