Il Congiuntivo: How to Use the Italian Subjunctive

In this post we’ll learn how to use the Italian subjunctive. First, we’ll start with a summary of what the subjunctive is and how it’s used. For much more detail on how to form the Italian subjunctive, check out this post. Next, we’ll learn about different uses of the subjunctive, dividing the examples into categories like doubt and uncertainty and wishes and desires. After that we’ll look at some common impersonal expressions that use the Italian subjunctive. Then we’ll turn to conjunctions that trigger the subjunctive. Finally, we’ll wrap up with other common constructions that trigger the Italian subjunctive.

What is the Subjunctive?

First, let’s define 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 and use 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 use the Italian subjunctive in this post. For a complete explanation on how to form it, check out this post.

Major Uses of the Italian Subjunctive

In this section we’ll look at the major uses of the Italian subjunctive. In each case, there is a verb in the main clause that triggers the use of the subjunctive in the following che clause. Those triggers are verbs that express something that isn’t necessarily true, but are instead opinions, wishes, desires, preferences, and so on. We’ll divide the major triggers into categories.

1. Opinions and Beliefs

First, let’s look at triggers that involve opinions or beliefs. When expressing an opinion or belief rather than a fact, Italian normally uses the subjunctive after che. Common expressions include:

• pensare che (to think that)
• credere che (to believe that)
• immaginare che (to imagine that)
• supporre che (to supose that)
• sembrare che (to seem that)
• parere che (to appear that)

Here are some examples.

• Penso che Maria abbia ragione.
  I think Maria is right.
• Crediamo che sia una buona idea.
  We believe it’s a good idea.
• Mi sembra che piova.
  It seems to me that it’s raining.
• Suppongo che arrivino domani.
  I suppose they’ll arrive tomorrow.

Just remember that if the che clause expresses something that you’re expressing as a fact, you use the indicative. But if it expresses a belief that may or may not be true, you use the subjunctive.

• So che è vero.
  I know it’s true.
• Credo che sia vero.
  I believe it’s true.

2. Doubt and Uncertainty

Second, let’s look at some subjunctive triggers that express doubt or uncertainty. Whenever the speaker expresses uncertainty, the subjunctive is generally required. Common expressions include:

• dubitare che (to doubt that)
• non credere che (to not believe that)
• non pensare che (to not think that)
• non essere sicuro che (to not be sure that)
• essere possibile che (to be possible that that)
• può darsi che (it may/could be that)

Here are some examples.

• Dubito che venga oggi.
  I doubt he’ll come today.
• Non credo che abbiano tempo.
  I don’t think they have time.
• È possibile che sia già partito.
  It’s possible that he has already left.
• Può darsi che piova stasera.
  It may be that it rains tonight.

3. Wishes and Desires

Third, let’s example subjunctive triggers that express wishes or desires. When one person wants another person to do something, or a situation to be a certain way, Italian uses the subjunctive. Common verbs include:

• volere che (to want that)
• desiderare che (to want/desire that)
• preferire che (to prefer that)
• sperare che (to hope that)

Here are some examples.

• Voglio che tu venga.
  I want you to come.
• Preferisco che restiamo qui.
  I’d rather we stay here.
• Desiderano che il progetto finisca presto.
  They want the project to finish soon.
• Spero che tu stia bene.
  I hope you’re doing well.

Notice that English often uses pronouns with to infinitives in these constructions: I want you to come. I want him to leave. Italian uses che clauses if there are different subjects. But if the subject of the che clause is the same as the main clause, Italian uses the infinitive.

• Voglio partire.
  I want to leave.
  Not: *Voglio che io parta.

4. Emotions and Feelings

Fourth, we’ll turn to triggers that expression emotions or feelings, which almost always trigger the subjunctive. Common expressions include:

• essere felice che (to be happy that)
• essere contento che (to be happy that)
• essere triste che (to be sad that)
• dispiacersi che (to be sorry that)
• avere paura che (to be afraid that)
• sorprendersi che (to be surprised that)

Here are some examples.

• Sono felice che tu sia qui.
  I’m happy you’re here.
• Mi dispiace che dobbiate partire.
  I’m sorry you have to leave.
• Ha paura che il treno parta senza di lui.
  He’s afraid the train will leave without him.
• Ci sorprende che parlino così bene l’italiano.
  We’re surprised that they speak Italian so well.

Impersonal Expressions that Trigger the Subjunctive

Several impersonal expressions – expressions without a subject in Italian and often expressed with it in English – also trigger the subjunctive.

1. Necessity, Importance, and Recommendations

First, let’s look at impersonal triggers involving expressions of necessity, importance, or recommendations. Common expressions include:

• è necessario che (it’s necessary that)
• è importante che (it’s important that)
• è meglio che (it’s better that)
• bisogna che (it’s necessary that, one must…)
• occorre che (it’s required that)
• conviene che (it’s advisable that)

Here are some examples.

• È importante che studiate ogni giorno.
  It’s important that you study every day.
• Bisogna che partiamo subito.
  We have to leave immediately.
• È meglio che tu aspetti.
  It’s better that you wait.
• Occorre che tutti collaborino.
  Everyone needs to cooperate.

2. Judgment or Possibility

Second, many impersonal expressions expressing judgment or possibility require the subjunctive. Examples include:

• è possibile che (it’s possible that…)
• è improbabile che (it’s unlikely that…)
• è strano che (it’s strange that…)
• è giusto che (it’s right/just/fair that…)
• è naturale che (it’s natural that that…)
• è evidente che* (it seems clear/obvious that…)

*When è evidente che truly means it is obvious that, speakers often use the indicative because the statement is presented as factual. Usage can vary depending on how certain the speaker wishes to sound.

Here are some examples.

• È strano che non risponda.
  It’s strange that he isn’t answering.
• È improbabile che vincano.
  It’s unlikely they’ll win.
• È giusto che tutti paghino.
  It’s fair that everyone pays.

Conjunctions that Trigger the Subjunctive

Several conjunctions always introduce a clause requiring the subjunctive. Notice that each of these conjunctions expresses a condition that may or may not become true. This is a typical trigger of the subjunctive.

affinché (so that)

• Studio affinché possa superare l’esame.
  I’m studying so that I can pass the exam.
• Parla lentamente affinché tutti capiscano.
  He speaks slowly so that everyone understands.

perché (in order that)

When perché means in order/so that, it takes the subjunctive.

• Ti telefono perché tu sappia la verità.
  I’m calling so that you’ll know the truth.
• Hanno preso un taxi perché arrivino in tempo.
  They took a taxi so that they would arrive on time.

But if it means because, it takes that indicative:

• Studio perché voglio imparare.
  I study because I want to learn.

benché (although)

• Benché sia stanco, continua a lavorare.
  Although he’s tired, he keeps working.
• Benché piova, usciremo.
  Although it’s raining, we’ll go out.

sebbene (although)

• Sebbene abbia poco tempo, mi aiuta sempre.
  Although she has little time, she always helps me.
• Sebbene sia molto occupato, trova sempre il tempo per la sua famiglia.
  Although he is very busy, he always finds time for his family.

prima che (before)

• Partiamo prima che faccia buio.
  Let’s leave before it gets dark.
• Chiudi la finestra prima che piova.
  Close the window before it rains.

senza che (without)

• È uscito senza che lo vedessi.
  He left without my seeing him.
• Esce senza che nessuno se ne accorga.
  He leaves without anyone noticing.

a meno che (unless)

• Non parto a meno che tu venga con me.
  I’m not leaving unless you come with me.
• Non usciremo a meno che smetta di piovere.
  We won’t go out unless it stops raining.

Other Common Constructions that Trigger the Subjunctive

Finally, let’s wrap up our lesson on how to use the Italian subjunctive with a few other common constructions that trigger it.

Indefinite or Unknown Antecedents

The subjunctive is often used when describing someone or something whose existence is uncertain or hypothetical.

• Cerco qualcuno che sappia il giapponese.
  I’m looking for someone who knows Japanese.

In this example, the speaker doesn’t know whether such a person exists. Compare that to a situation where the speaker is talking about someone who definitely exists:

• Conosco qualcuno che sa il giapponese.
  I know someone who knows Japanese.

Here are two more examples.

• Vorrei una casa che abbia un giardino.
  I’d like a house that has a garden.
• Cerchiamo un ristorante che sia aperto.
  We’re looking for a restaurant that’s open.

Superlatives and Expressions of Uniqueness

When referring to something as the best, the only, or the first, the subjunctive is common if the statement expresses a personal evaluation rather than an established fact.

• È il miglior film che abbia mai visto.
  It’s the best movie I’ve ever seen.
• È l’unica persona che mi capisca davvero.
  She’s the only person who truly understands me.

Negative and Interrogative Expressions

The subjunctive frequently appears after negative statements or questions that involve thinking or believing. These expressions naturally express uncertainty, which is a common trigger for the subjunctive.

• Non penso che sia vero.
  I don’t think it’s true.
• Credi che abbia ragione?
  Do you think he’s right?
• Pensi che arrivino in tempo?
  Do you think they’ll arrive on time?

Summary of How to Use the Italian Subjunctive

The Italian subjunctive is used whenever the speaker presents an idea as subjective or potential rather than factual. While there are many individual rules, most uses fall into a few broad categories:

• Opinions and beliefs:
  Penso che sia vero.
  I think it’s true.
• Doubt and uncertainty:
  Dubito che venga.
  I doubt he’ll come.
• Wishes and desires:
  Voglio che tu resti.
  I want you to stay.
• Emotions and feelings:
  Sono felice che tu sia qui.
  I’m happy that you’re here.
• Necessity and recommendations:
  Bisogna che partiamo.
  We need to leave.
• Impersonal expressions of possibility or probability:
  È possibile che piova.
  It may rain. / It’s possible that it will rain.
• Conjunctions introducing purpose, concession, or condition:
  Benché sia stanco, continua a lavorare.
  Although he’s tired, he keeps working.
• Unknown or hypothetical people or things:
  Cerco qualcuno che sappia il russo.
  I’m looking for someone who knows Russian.
• Certain superlatives and evaluative expressions:
  È il miglior libro che abbia mai letto.
  It’s the best book I’ve ever read.

As you read and listen to authentic Italian, you’ll find that these patterns repeat over and overyou’re your Italian improves, instead of memorizing dozens of isolated rules, focus on recognizing these broad categories. With practice, choosing between the indicative and the subjunctive will become increasingly natural.

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