The subjunctive is mostly found in dependent clauses. However, there are uses of the subjunctive in independent clauses.
When used in independent clauses, the subjunctive conveys that the speaker is not stating a fact but rather expressing:
- Grant: Sia pure! (So be it!)
- Concession: Ammettiamo che abbia ragione… (Let’s admit that he’s right…)
- Admission: Che sia anche vero… (Even if it’s true…)
These expressions are often used to preempt objections, soften disagreements, or explore hypothetical scenarios without committing to their truth.
1. Expressing grant with Pure + Subjunctive
The particle pure (often translated as “so be it,” “by all means,” “go ahead”) combined with the subjunctive expresses acceptance, permission, or concession. It indicates that the speaker is willing to grant a point or allow an action, often with a tone of resignation or tolerance.
A. Structure
Pure + subjunctive (usually third person singular or plural)
B. Meaning and function
This construction conveys: “So be it!”, “Let it be!”, “By all means!”, or “Granted!” It expresses that the speaker accepts a situation or concedes a point, even if reluctantly.
[Sia pure! (So be it! / Let it be so!), Faccia pure! (Go ahead! / By all means!), Dica pure! (Say it! / Go ahead and speak!), Venga pure! (Do come in! / By all means, come!), Creda pure ciò che vuole! (Believe whatever you want!)
- Expressing acceptance or resignation:
- Sia pure come dici tu. (So be it as you say / Let it be as you say.)
- Non sono d’accordo, ma sia pure. (I don’t agree, but so be it.)
- Se vuole andarsene, vada pure. (If he wants to leave, let him go / by all means.)
- Encouraging speech or action:
- Parla pure, ti ascolto. (Go ahead and speak; I’m listening.)
- Chieda pure, non si vergogni. (Ask away; don’t be shy.)
- Faccia pure come crede. (Do as you think best; go ahead.)
- Conceding a point in an argument:
- Sia pure, ma non sono convinto. (Granted, but I’m not convinced.)
- Ammettiamo pure che tu abbia ragione… (Let’s grant that you’re right…)
- Supponiamo pure che sia vero… (Let’s suppose it’s true…)
2. Expressing concession with Anche + Subjunctive
The adverb anche (also, even) combined with the subjunctive expresses concession—acknowledging a hypothetical or real situation without allowing it to affect the main argument. This construction often implies “even if” or “although.”
A. Structure
Anche + subjunctive (often in concessive clauses that function independently)
B. Meaning and function
This construction conveys: “Even if…” or “Even though…” It concedes a point for the sake of argument, often to introduce a contrasting or stronger statement.
[Che sia anche vero (Even if it’s true), Sia anche come dici (Even if it’s as you say), Abbia anche ragione (Even if he’s right.)]
- Conceding a hypothetical:
- Che sia anche vero quello che dici, non cambierò idea. (Even if what you say is true, I won’t change my mind.)
- Sia anche giusto così, ma non mi piace. (Even if it’s right this way, I don’t like it.)
- Abbia anche vinto la gara, non è simpatico. (Even if he won the race, he’s not likeable.)
- Conceding a point in discussion:
- Che sia anche possibile, non voglio correre il rischio. (Even if it’s possible, I don’t want to take the risk.)
- Sia anche una buona occasione, non mi interessa. (Even if it’s a good opportunity, I’m not interested.)
- With pure for emphasis:
- Che sia pure vero, non mi convince. (Even if it’s true, it doesn’t convince me.)
- Sia pure come dici, ma io la penso diversamente. (Even if it’s as you say, I think differently.)
3. Expressing grant and admission with Ammettiamo che + Subjunctive
The phrase ammettiamo che (let’s admit that / let’s suppose that) followed by the subjunctive is used to grant a hypothetical scenario for the sake of argument. It is a rhetorical tool for exploring possibilities, testing hypotheses, or conceding points in debate.
A. Structure
Ammettiamo che + subjunctive (present or past)
B. Meaning and function
This construction conveys: “Let’s admit that…”, “Let’s suppose that…”, or “Granted that…” It introduces a hypothetical premise that the speaker is willing to accept temporarily in order to draw a conclusion or make a counterargument.
[Ammettiamo che tu abbia ragione… (Let’s admit that you’re right…), Ammettiamo che sia vero… (Let’s suppose it’s true…), Ammettiamo pure che… (Let’s grant that)…]
- Conceding an opponent’s point:
- Ammettiamo che tu abbia ragione. Questo non significa che la soluzione sia giusta. (Let’s admit that you’re right. That doesn’t mean the solution is correct.)
- Ammettiamo che il progetto sia fattibile. Abbiamo i fondi per realizzarlo? (Let’s admit that the project is feasible. Do we have the funds to carry it out?)
- Ammettiamo che non sia colpa sua. Chi è allora il responsabile? (Let’s admit that it’s not his fault. Who is responsible then?)
- Exploring a hypothetical:
- Ammettiamo che sia vero. Cosa cambierebbe? (Let’s suppose it’s true. What would change?)
- Ammettiamo che il treno sia in ritardo. Come facciamo ad arrivare in tempo? (Let’s suppose the train is late. How do we arrive on time?)
- Ammettiamo che non ci sia nessuna soluzione. E allora? (Let’s suppose there’s no solution. So what?)
- Emphatic concession with pure:
- Ammettiamo pure che abbia sbagliato. Non merita una punizione così severa. (Let’s grant that he made a mistake. He doesn’t deserve such a severe punishment.)
- Ammettiamo pure che le cose stiano così. Adesso che facciamo? (Let’s grant that things are this way. Now what do we do?)
4. Related expressions of Grant and Concession
A. Concediamo che + subjunctive (Let’s grant that)
Similar to ammettiamo che, but slightly more formal.
- Concediamo che tu abbia fatto del tuo meglio. Il risultato è comunque insoddisfacente. (Let’s grant that you did your best. The result is still unsatisfactory.)
B. Supponiamo che + subjunctive (Let’s suppose that)
Used for purely hypothetical scenarios, not necessarily conceding a real point.
- Supponiamo che domani nevichi. Cosa facciamo? (Let’s suppose it snows tomorrow. What do we do?)
C. Mettiamo che + subjunctive (Let’s say that / Let’s put that)
A colloquial alternative to ammettiamo che.
- Mettiamo che non arrivi in tempo. Che facciamo, lo aspettiamo? (Let’s say he doesn’t arrive on time. Do we wait for him?)
D. Ipotizziamo che + subjunctive (Let’s hypothesize that)
More formal and intellectual.
- Ipotizziamo che l’economia cresca del 2%. Quali sarebbero le conseguenze? (Let’s hypothesize that the economy grows by 2%. What would be the consequences?)
The Subjunctive vs. Indicative in grant constructions
The choice between subjunctive and indicative in these constructions signals the speaker’s attitude toward the proposition:
- Subjunctive mood: Hypothetical, conceded for argument
- Ammettiamo che abbia ragione. (Let’s admit that he’s right — not necessarily true, but granted.)
- Indicative mood: Factual, real situation
- Ammettiamo che ha ragione. (We admit that he’s right — it is actually true.)
In modern Italian, after ammettiamo che, the subjunctive is the standard choice for hypothetical concession, while the indicative would indicate acceptance of a fact.