The Italian Subjunctive in Independent Clauses: Expressing Exhortation (The Imperative Function)
The subjunctive mood (congiuntivo) in Italian serves a crucial function in independent clauses as a substitute for the imperative (imperativo) in specific grammatical contexts. This usage, often called the “esortativo” (exhortative) or “iussivo” (jussive) subjunctive, expresses commands, exhortations, encouragements, and invitations—particularly in formal situations, with negative commands, or when addressing the first person plural (“let us”).
Unlike the standard imperative, which has distinct forms only for the second person singular and plural (tu, voi), the exhortative subjunctive fills the missing persons: first person singular (rare), first person plural (“let us”), and third person singular/plural (“let him,” “let them”). It is also used for negative commands across all persons, as the negative imperative typically employs non + infinitive for tu and non + subjunctive for other persons.
The subjunctive as an imperative substitute: General Overview
The exhortative subjunctive is used when the speaker wishes to express a command, request, or encouragement in persons or contexts where the standard imperative is unavailable or inappropriate.
| Person | Standard Imperative | Exhortative Subjunctive | When Used |
| 1st person singular (io) | (does not exist) | Che io vada / Vada (rare) | Rare; mostly fixed expressions |
| 2nd person singular (tu) | Vai! | (not used) | Standard imperative preferred |
| 3rd person singular (lui/lei) | (does not exist) | Vada! | Formal commands (“let him go”) |
| 1st person plural (noi) | (rare; andiamo) | Andiamo! | Exhortation (“let’s go”) |
| 2nd person plural (voi) | Andate! | (not used) | Standard imperative preferred |
| 3rd person plural (loro) | (does not exist) | Vadano! | Formal commands (“let them go”) |
1. First person plural exhortation: “Let us”
The most common and natural use of the exhortative subjunctive is the first person plural (noi), equivalent to the English “let us” or “let’s.” This form is used for suggestions, invitations, and collective actions.
A. Structure
Present subjunctive of the verb (first person plural)
B. Meaning and function
This construction conveys: “Let’s…” or “Let us…” It expresses a proposal or invitation to do something together.
- Positive exhortations:
- Andiamo al cinema stasera! (Let’s go to the cinema tonight!)
- Prendiamo un caffè insieme. (Let’s have a coffee together.)
- Facciamo una passeggiata. (Let’s take a walk.)
- Aspettiamo un attimo. (Let’s wait a moment.)
- Chiamiamo un taxi. (Let’s call a taxi.)
- Negative exhortations (with non):
- Non andiamo via troppo presto. (Let’s not leave too early.)
- Non preoccupiamoci di quello che pensano gli altri. (Let’s not worry about what others think.)
- Non litighiamo per così poco. (Let’s not argue over so little.)
- Non facciamoci prendere dal panico. (Let’s not panic.)
- With reflexive verbs:
- Sediamoci qui. (Let’s sit here.)
- Alziamoci presto domani. (Let’s get up early tomorrow.)
- Prepariamoci per la partenza. (Let’s prepare ourselves for departure.)
2. Third person exhortation: “Let him,” “Let them”
The third person singular and plural of the present subjunctive are used to express commands, wishes, or permissions directed at someone who is not being addressed directly. This is common in formal, legal, religious, or literary contexts.
A. Structure
Present subjunctive of the verb (third person singular or plural)
B. Meaning and function
This construction conveys: “Let him…”, “Let her…”, “Let them…”, or simply a formal imperative equivalent to “he/she must…”
- Third person singular (formal commands to “you” – Lei) to address someone with respect:
- Entri, prego! (Please come in! — formal)
- Si accomodi! (Please have a seat! — formal)
- Prenda pure un caffè con noi. (Please do have a coffee with us — formal)
- Mi dica cosa è successo. (Tell me what happened — formal)
- Non si preoccupi! (Don’t worry — formal)
- Third person singular (referring to he/she):
- Che lui venga da me. (Let him come to me.)
- Faccia quello che crede. (Let him do what he thinks best.)
- Sia lode a Dio. (Praise be to God — literally “Let praise be to God.”)
- Regni la pace. (Let peace reign.)
- Third person plural (referring to they):
- Vadano pure via. (Let them leave / They may leave.)
- Entrino uno alla volta. (Let them enter one at a time.)
- Si siedano tutti. (Let everyone sit down.)
- Non parlino durante la proiezione. (Let them not speak during the screening.)
- Negative third person commands:
- Non vada via troppo tardi. (Let him not leave too late / He shouldn’t leave too late.)
- Non entrino senza biglietto. (Let them not enter without a ticket.)
3. First person singular exhortation (Rare)
The first person singular exhortative subjunctive is rare in modern Italian. It is primarily used in fixed expressions or literary contexts to express self-encouragement or resolution.
A. Structure
Present subjunctive of the verb (first person singular)
B. Meaning and function
This construction conveys: “Let me…” or “May I…” It is often replaced by other constructions in everyday speech.
- Che io possa rivederti presto! (May I see you again soon! — wish)
- Che io non dimentichi mai questo giorno. (May I never forget this day.)
- Sia io dannato se mento! (May I be damned if I lie! — oath)
In practice, modern Italian prefers the imperative (where available) or other periphrastic constructions for first person singular exhortations.
Negative commands with the subjunctive
The exhortative subjunctive is also used to form negative commands for the Lei (formal you), noi (let’s not), and loro (let them not) forms. For the familiar tu negative command, Italian uses non + infinitive (non parlare! = don’t speak!).
| Person | Negative command | Example |
| Tu (familiar) | non + infinitive | Non parlare! (Don’t speak!) |
| Lei (formal) | non + present subjunctive | Non parli! [Don’t speak (formal)] |
| Noi | non + present subjunctive | Non parliamo! (Let’s not speak!) |
| Voi | non + imperative | Non parlate! [Don’t speak (plural)] |
| Loro | non + present subjunctive | Non parlino! [Let them not speak!] |
- Formal (Lei):
- Non si preoccupi! (Don’t worry)
- Non fumi qui, per favore. (Please don’t smoke here)
- Non entri senza permesso. (Don’t enter without permission)
- First person plural (Noi):
- Non andiamo nel panico. (Let’s not panic.)
- Non ci arrendiamo così presto. (Let’s not give up so soon.)
- Non giudichiamo senza sapere. (Let’s not judge without knowing.)
- Third person plural (Loro):
- Non parlino durante l’esame. (Let them not speak during the exam.)
- Non entrino senza biglietto. (Let them not enter without a ticket.)
- Non facciano rumore. (Let them not make noise.)
The Subjunctive vs. Imperative: a comparison
| Person | Imperative | Exhortative Subjunctive | When Used |
| Tu (positive) | Parla! | _ | Familiar commands |
| Tu (negative) | Non parlare! | _ | Familiar negative commands |
| Lei (positive) | _ | Parli! | Familiar commands |
| Lei (negative) | _ | Non parli! | Formal negative commands |
| Noi (positive) | Andiamo (rare) | Andiamo! | “Let’s” (exhortation) |
| Noi (negative) | _ | Non andiamo! | “Let’s not” |
| Voi (positive) | Parlate! | _ | Plural familiar commands |
| Voi (negative) | Non parlate! | _ | Plural familiar negative commands |
| Loro (positive) | _ | Parlino! | Formal plural commands |
| Loro (negative) | _ | Non parlino! | Formal plural negative commands |