When do we use the Italian subjunctive? | The Italian subjunctive | Learn Italian with Francesco

Summary

In this video, we explore the six main cases in which the subjunctive is used in Italian. These include expressing opinions, desires, uncertainty, emotions, impersonal expressions, and with indefinite adjectives or pronouns. Through clear examples, the video explains when and why to use the subjunctive in various contexts, making it easy to grasp for learners. Whether you're stating an opinion, expressing doubt, or talking about emotions, the subjunctive plays a crucial role in conveying nuanced meaning in Italian. The video provides practical insights to help learners master this essential grammatical mood.

Takeaways

• 😀 The subjunctive in Italian is used in specific cases, and today we are covering the six most common ones.
• 😀 The first case is the use of the subjunctive with verbs of opinion, such as 'I think' or 'I believe'.
• 😀 The second case involves verbs of will or desire, like 'I want' or 'I prefer'.
• 😀 The third case is when expressing uncertainty or doubt, for example, 'I doubt he knows'.
• 😀 The fourth case is the use of the subjunctive to express emotions, such as happiness, sadness, or fear.
• 😀 The fifth case involves impersonal expressions and verbs that lack a specific subject, such as 'it is necessary that'.
• 😀 The sixth case is when the subjunctive is used with indefinite adjectives and pronouns, like 'anyone' or 'anywhere'.
• 😀 The subjunctive is used when the dependent sentence contains indefinite adjectives or pronouns, not the main sentence.
• 😀 The past subjunctive is used when the emotion or action occurred in the past (e.g., 'We are happy that you have arrived').
• 😀 The subjunctive is essential for expressing doubt, desires, emotions, and certain impersonal situations in Italian grammar.

Q & A

What is the subjunctive mood in Italian used for?

The subjunctive mood in Italian is used to express opinions, desires, uncertainty, emotions, impersonal expressions, and when dealing with indefinite adjectives and pronouns.

What is the first case of using the subjunctive in Italian?

The first case is with verbs of opinion, such as *pensare* (to think), *credere* (to believe), and *immaginare* (to imagine). These verbs express subjective viewpoints, and the subjunctive is used in the dependent clause.

Can you give an example of using the subjunctive with a verb of opinion?

Sure! An example would be: 'I think that this situation is absurd' – *Penso che questa situazione sia assurda*. Here, *penso* (I think) is the verb of opinion, and *sia* (is) is in the subjunctive mood.

How is the subjunctive used with verbs of desire in Italian?

The subjunctive is used with verbs that express will or desire, such as *volere* (to want), *desiderare* (to desire), or *preferire* (to prefer). These verbs indicate a wish or preference, which triggers the use of the subjunctive in the dependent clause.

Give an example of the subjunctive used with a verb of desire.

For example, 'I want you to say everything you know' – *Voglio che tu dica tutto quello che sai*. Here, *voglio* (I want) is the verb of desire, and *dica* (say) is in the present subjunctive.

What is the role of the subjunctive when expressing uncertainty or doubt?

When expressing uncertainty or doubt, the subjunctive is used to indicate that the action or situation is not definite. Common verbs include *dubitare* (to doubt) and *non essere sicuro* (to not be sure).

Can you provide an example of using the subjunctive to express doubt?

Certainly! An example is: 'I doubt that he knows what he’s doing' – *Dubito che lui sappia cosa sta facendo*. Here, *dubito* (I doubt) triggers the use of *sappia* (knows) in the subjunctive.

How do emotions influence the use of the subjunctive in Italian?

Emotions like happiness, sorrow, hope, or fear require the subjunctive because they reflect subjective states. The verb expressing the emotion triggers the subjunctive in the dependent clause.

Give an example of the subjunctive used with an emotion.

An example is: 'I am happy that you are coming on vacation with us' – *Sono contento che tu venga in vacanza con noi*. Here, *sono contento* (I am happy) expresses an emotion, and *venga* (are coming) is in the subjunctive.

What are impersonal expressions, and how do they affect the subjunctive?

Impersonal expressions are phrases that don’t have a clear subject, such as *è necessario che* (it’s necessary that) or *sembra che* (it seems that). These expressions always require the subjunctive in the dependent clause.

Can you provide an example of an impersonal expression using the subjunctive?

Sure! An example is: 'It is important that you study Italian very well' – *È importante che tu studi molto bene l’italiano*. Here, *è importante* (it is important) is the impersonal expression, and *studi* (study) is in the subjunctive.

What is the sixth case of the subjunctive in Italian?

The sixth case is when the subjunctive is used with indefinite adjectives and pronouns, such as *qualunque* (any), *chiunque* (anyone), and *dovunque* (wherever), especially when they appear in the dependent clause.

Give an example of using the subjunctive with an indefinite pronoun.

An example is: 'Anyone who wants to talk to me must make an appointment' – *Chiunque voglia parlarmi deve prendere un appuntamento*. Here, *chiunque* (anyone) is the indefinite pronoun, and *voglia* (wants) is in the subjunctive.

What is the key takeaway about using the subjunctive with indefinite adjectives?

The key takeaway is that when indefinite adjectives or pronouns appear in the dependent clause (not the main sentence), the subjunctive is required. For example, *Qualsiasi cosa tu dica*, meaning 'Whatever you say', uses the subjunctive because *qualsiasi cosa* (whatever) is indefinite.