The Subjunctive
The subjunctive can be elusive. It is difficult to tell when and where it is required. It is used to express “what might be” or “what ought to be.” This mood is different from the indicative mood (used to express fact) in that it allows expression of doubt, desire, emotion, impersonal opinion, and uncertainty. Native speakers of Italian employ the subjunctive naturally. For many students of Italian, mastering the subjunctive is often the final piece in gaining full proficiency in the language.
Subjunctive Tenses
The subjunctive mood in Italian has four tenses: presente (present), imperfetto (imperfect), passato (perfect past), and trapassato (pluperfect past). The presente and the imperfect tenses are simple tenses (one word), and the passato and trapassato tenses are compound tenses (auxiliary verb + past participle).
When to Use the Subjunctive
Correct use of the subjunctive is not left as a free choice. It has to be used when the sentence expresses one of the following situations:
Uncertainty, doubt, or possibility
I'm not sure he can come. (He will come or he will not.)
We doubt it is true. (It may be true or false.)
It's possible she is telling the truth. (She may or may not be telling the truth.)
Personal Opinion, Judgment, Comments, Remarks, or Denial
I think he is studying French. (I think, but it may or may not be true.)
It is better that you don't know. (This is an opinion.)
They say it's a good idea. (This is an opinion.)
It is unfair that they blame you for this. (This is an opinion.)
They deny that it is true. (This is a denial.)
Wishes, Hopes, or Desires
I want them to come. (It is my wish.)
We hope you can stay. (It is our wish.)
Orders or Demands
I demand that you leave.
He wants you to return.
Joy, Sorrow, Surprise, Fear, or Anger
I am happy you showed up.
They fear he won't show up.
I'm surprised she arrived early.
The subjunctive mood is needed for the verbs in the subordinate clauses, which are most often introduced by a conjunction (that, if, what, whether, despite, provided that, etc.). In each of the previous examples, the verb does not indicate something that has happened or that is in progress. Instead, it indicates a desire or a wish, or to a supposition or opinion. Each action, despite the speaker's expectations or desires, may still not take place.
Whenever there is a possibility that a statement may or may not be true, the subjunctive mood is required. This is the fundamental difference between the indicative (used to express fact) and the subjunctive (used to express feelings, volition, uncertainty, etc.) moods.
Present Indicative
Giovanni sta ascoltando la musica. |
Giovanni is listening to music. |
Present Subjunctive
Credo che Giovanni stia ascoltando la musica. |
I believe he is listening to music (but he might not be). |
