Verbs: Subjunctive Mood

01

The Basic Structure

Most often, the subjunctive is found in a subordinate clause introduced by the word che (that). The verb in the main clause acts as a "trigger" that requires the verb in the subordinate clause to be in the subjunctive.

Main Clause (Trigger) + che + Subordinate Clause (Subjunctive)

• Penso che lui sia intelligente.

  I think that he is intelligent.

• Voglio che tu venga alla festa.

  I want you to come to the party.

02

When to Use the Subjunctive

The subjunctive is triggered by specific categories of verbs and expressions in the main clause.

1. Opinions, Beliefs, and Doubts

When the main clause expresses a personal opinion or uncertainty, the subjunctive is used. This includes verbs like credere (to believe), pensare (to think), ritenere (to consider/believe), and dubitare (to doubt).

• Credo che Marco abbia ragione.

  I believe that Marco is right.

• Pensano che il film sia noioso.

  They think that the movie is boring.

• Dubito che arrivi in tempo.

  I doubt he will arrive on time.

2. Wishes, Hopes, and Desires

Verbs expressing a wish, command, or hope require the subjunctive. Common examples are volere (to want), sperare (to hope), desiderare (to desire), and preferire (to prefer).

• Spero che tu stia bene.

  I hope that you are well.

• Vogliamo che voi partiate subito.

  We want you all to leave immediately.

• Preferisco che tu non dica niente.

  I prefer that you don't say anything.

3. Emotions and Feelings

Expressions of emotion, such as happiness, sadness, or fear, also trigger the subjunctive.

• Sono felice che tu sia qui.

  I am happy that you are here.

• Mi dispiace che non possiate venire.

  I'm sorry that you all can't come.

• Ho paura che sia troppo tardi.

  I'm afraid that it's too late.

4. Impersonal Expressions

Impersonal expressions that convey opinions or necessity use the subjunctive. These often start with È... (It is...) or similar constructions.

• È importante che tu studi molto.

  It's important that you study a lot.

• È necessario che parliamo.

  It's necessary that we talk.

• Bisogna che i bambini dormano.

  It is necessary that the children sleep.

5. Certain Conjunctions

A number of conjunctions always require the subjunctive in the clause they introduce. These include:

• affinché / perché - so that, in order that
• sebbene / nonostante - although, despite
• a meno che - unless
• prima che - before
• senza che - without
• purché - provided that

• Ti chiamo prima che tu esca.

  I'll call you before you leave.

• Lo faccio sebbene sia difficile.

  I'm doing it although it is difficult.

• Puoi uscire, purché tu finisca i compiti.

  You can go out, provided that you finish your homework.

03

Present Subjunctive (Congiuntivo Presente)

The present subjunctive is used when the verb in the main clause is in the present or future tense, and the action in the subordinate clause happens at the same time or in the future.

A key feature is that the forms for io (I), tu (you), and lui/lei (he/she) are identical. For this reason, subject pronouns are often included for clarity.

Regular Verbs

• -ARE Verbs (parlare): parli, parli, parli, parliamo, parliate, parlino
• -ERE Verbs (prendere): prenda, prenda, prenda, prendiamo, prendiate, prendano
• -IRE Verbs (sentire): senta, senta, senta, sentiamo, sentiate, sentano
• -IRE Verbs with -isc- (finire): finisca, finisca, finisca, finiamo, finiate, finiscano

Common Irregular Verbs

• essere (to be): sia, sia, sia, siamo, siate, siano
• avere (to have): abbia, abbia, abbia, abbiamo, abbiate, abbiano
• andare (to go): vada, vada, vada, andiamo, andiate, vadano
• fare (to do/make): faccia, faccia, faccia, facciamo, facciate, facciano
• potere (to be able to): possa, possa, possa, possiamo, possiate, possano

04

Past Subjunctive (Congiuntivo Passato)

The past subjunctive describes an action that occurred before the action in the main clause (which is in the present). It is a compound tense, formed with the present subjunctive of essere or avere and the past participle of the main verb.

Formation: Present subjunctive of auxiliary + past participle

• Penso che lui abbia mangiato troppo.

  I think that he ate too much.

• Sono contenta che tu sia venuto.

  I'm happy that you came.

• Non sono sicuro che abbiano capito.

  I'm not sure that they understood.

05

Imperfect Subjunctive (Congiuntivo Imperfetto)

The imperfect subjunctive is used when the main clause is in a past tense (e.g., imperfetto, passato prossimo) or the conditional (condizionale). It refers to an action that was happening at the same time as, or after, the past action in the main clause. It is also used in hypothetical sentences with se (if).

Formation: Remove -re from the infinitive and add: -ssi, -ssi, -sse, -ssimo, -ste, -ssero.

• parlare: parlassi, parlassi, parlasse, parlassimo, parlaste, parlassero
• essere: fossi, fossi, fosse, fossimo, foste, fossero

• Pensavo che tu fossi a casa.

  I thought that you were at home.

• Speravano che noi andassimo con loro.

  They were hoping that we would go with them.

• Se avessi più tempo, viaggerei di più.

  If I had more time, I would travel more.

06

Pluperfect Subjunctive (Congiuntivo Trapassato)

The pluperfect subjunctive describes an action that happened before another past action. It is formed with the imperfect subjunctive of essere or avere and the past participle.

Formation: Imperfect subjunctive of auxiliary + past participle

• Pensavo che lui fosse già partito.

  I thought that he had already left.

• Credevo che tu avessi finito il lavoro.

  I believed that you had finished the work.

• Nonostante avessero studiato, non hanno passato l'esame.

  Although they had studied, they didn't pass the exam.