Il Congiuntivo: How to Form the Italian Subjunctive

In this post we’ll learn how to form the Italian subjunctive. First, we’ll start with a summary of what the subjunctive is and how it’s used. But for much more detail on how to use the Italian subjunctive, check out this post [LINK]. Next, we’ll divide Italian verbs by category. We’ll start with regular ARE verbs. Then we’ll cover regular IRE verbs. Next, we’ll cover regular ERE verbs. Finally, we’ll cover a few important verbs that are irregular in the subjunctive.

What is the Subjunctive?

The Italian subjunctive, il congiuntivo, is one of the most distinctive features of Italian grammar. While English uses the subjunctive only occasionally (I suggest that he be here), Italian uses it much more frequently. So if you’re learning the language, it’s important to learn how to form the Italian subjunctive.

The subjunctive expresses ideas that are not presented as objective facts, but rather as:

• Opinions
• Doubts
• Wishes
• Emotions
• Possibility
• Necessity
• Uncertainty

Compare these two sentences:

• So che Marco è a casa.
  I know Marco is at home.
• Penso che Marco sia a casa.
  I think Marco is at home.

In the first sentence, the speaker presents the information as a fact, so the indicative is used. In the second, it is only a belief or opinion, so the subjunctive is required. Notice that the subjunctive most commonly appears in subordinate clauses introduced by che (that).

Again, we’re only going to focus on how to form the Italian subjunctive in this post. For a complete explanation on how to use it, check out this post. [LINK]

How to Form the Italian Subjunctive

Fortunately, the present subjunctive follows regular patterns. Once you learn the endings for each verb group, forming it becomes much easier.

-ARE Verbs

The present subjunctive endings for regular -ARE verbs are as follows. Notice that the theme vowel for
–ARE verbs in the subjunctive is –i.

io	-i	noi	-iamo
tu	-i	voi	-iate
lui/lei/Lei	-i	loro, Loro	-ino

Let’s see a few examples of regular -ARE verbs.

	parlare (to speak)	comprare (to buy)	lavorare (to work)
io	parli	compri	lavori
tu	parli	compri	lavori
lui/lei/Lei	parli	compri	lavori
noi	parliamo	compriamo	lavoriamo
voi	parliate	compriate	lavoriate
loro, Loro	parlino	comprino	lavorino

Here are some example sentences.

• Penso che Marco lavori molto.
  I think Marco works a lot. (But I’m not sure.)
• È importante che compriate il pane.
  It’s important that you (plural) buy the bread.
• Voglio che parlino lentamente.
  I want them to speak slowly.
• Dubito che lei studi stasera.
  I doubt that she will study/is studying tonight.

-ERE Verbs

Regular -ERE verbs use these endings. Notice that the theme vowel is -a.

io	-a	noi	-iamo
tu	-a	voi	-iate
lui/lei/Lei	-a	loro, Loro	-ano

Let’s see a few examples of regular -ERE verbs.

	prendere (to take)	leggere (to read)	vendere (to sell)
io	prenda	legga	venda
tu	prenda	legga	venda
lui/lei/Lei	prenda	legga	venda
noi	prendiamo	leggiamo	vendiamo
voi	prendiate	leggiate	vendiate
loro, Loro	prendano	leggano	vendano

Here are some example sentences.

• Credo che lui legga molto.
  I think he reads a lot.
• È possibile che vendano la casa.
  It’s possible that they’ll sell the house.
• Non penso che prendiate l’autobus.
  I don’t think that all of you are taking the bus.
• Bisogna che io venda la macchina.
  I need to sell the car. It’s necessary for me to sell the car.

-IRE Verbs

Regular -IRE verbs use exactly the same endings as -ere verbs. The theme vowel is –a.

io	-a	noi	-iamo
tu	-a	voi	-iate
lui/lei/Lei	-a	loro, Loro	-ano

Let’s see a few examples of regular -IRE verbs.

	dormire (to sleep)	partire (to leave)	finire (to finish)
io	dorma	parta	finisca
tu	dorma	parta	finisca
lui/lei/Lei	dorma	parta	finisca
noi	dormiamo	partiamo	finiamo
voi	dormiate	partiate	finiate
loro, Loro	dormano	partano	finiscano

Remember that some –IRE verbs are –ISC– verbs, both in the indicative and the subjunctive. Finire (to finish) is one example, and some other common ones are: capire (to understand), preferire (to prefer), pulire (to clean), costruire (to build), and obbedire (to obey).

Here are some example sentences.

• Spero che partiate presto.
  I hope you all leave early.
• È meglio che dormano di più.
  It’s better that they sleep more. It’s better for them to sleep more.
• Voglio che finisca il lavoro oggi.
  I want him/her to finish the work today.
• Dubito che capiscano il problema.
  I doubt they understand/will understand the problem.

How to Form the Italian Subjunctive of Common Irregular Verbs

Many of the most frequently used Italian verbs have irregular subjunctive forms and should simply be memorized.

essere (to be)

io	sia	noi	siamo
tu	sia	voi	siate
lui/lei/Lei	sia	loro, Loro	siano

• Sono contento che tu sia qui.
  I’m happy that you’re here.
• Credo che siano pronti.
  I think they’re ready.

avere (to have)

io	abbia	noi	abbiamo
tu	abbia	voi	abbiate
lui/lei/Lei	abbia	loro, Loro	abbiano

• Spero che abbiate tempo.
  I hope you (plural) have time.
• È possibile che abbia ragione.
  It’s possible that he is/she is right. He may/She may be right

andare (to go)

io	vada	noi	andiamo
tu	vada	voi	andiate
lui/lei/Lei	vada	loro, Loro	vadano

• Voglio che andiate con noi.
  I want you (plural) to go with us.
• Dubito che lui vada al concerto.
  I doubt he’ll go/he’s going to the concert.

fare (to do, make)

io	faccia	noi	facciamo
tu	faccia	voi	facciate
lui/lei/Lei	faccia	loro, Loro	facciano

• È importante che facciate attenzione.
  It’s important that you (plural) pay attention.
• Preferisco che lui faccia tutto da solo.
  I prefer that/I’d rather he do everything by himself.

dare (to give)

io	dia	noi	facciamo
tu	dia	voi	facciate
lui/lei/Lei	dia	loro, Loro	facciano

• Spero che mi dia una risposta.
  I hope he gives/she gives me an answer.
• Voglio che diate una mano.
  I want you (plural) to lend a hand.

sapere (to know)

io	sappia	noi	sappiamo
tu	sappia	voi	sappiate
lui/lei/Lei	sappia	loro, Loro	sappiano

• Non credo che sappiano la verità.
  I don’t think they know the truth.
• È possibile che lui sappia tutto.
  It’s possible that he knows everything. / He may know everything.

uscire (to go out)

io	esca	noi	usciamo
tu	esca	voi	usciate
lui/lei/Lei	esca	loro, Loro	escano

• È meglio che non escano stanotte.
  It’s better if they don’t go out tonight. / It’s better that they not go out tonight.
• Preferisco che tu esca più tardi.
  I’d rather you go out later. / I prefer that you go out later.

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