The subjunctive is used in dependent (subordinate) or independent clauses:
- An independent (also called main/simple) clause is a clause that does not depend on any other clauses and makes complete sense.
- A dependent (or subordinate) clause is a clause that depends on another clause. It does not have syntactic autonomy (if considered alone), and is governed by prepositions, adverbial phrases, pronouns or conjunctions.
The subjunctive is mostly found in dependent clauses. However, there are uses of the subjunctive in independent clauses.
The subjunctive in independent clauses replaces the indicative to convey that the speaker is not stating a fact but rather expressing:
- Doubt: Che sia vero? (Could it be true?)
- Fear: Che si sia perso? (What if he got lost?)
- Hypothesis: E se piovesse? (What if it rained?)
- Hope: Magari fosse vero! (If only it were true!)
- Concession: Sarà anche bravo, ma non mi piace. (He may be good, but I don’t like him.)
- Exhortation: Venga pure! (Do come in!)
1. Expressing doubt with Che + Subjunctive
The conjunction che followed by the subjunctive is used to express doubt, uncertainty, or a questioning attitude about a situation. The speaker is not asserting that something is true but rather wondering whether it might be true.
A. Structure:
[Che + subjunctive (often in rhetorical questions or exclamations)]
B. Meaning and function
This construction conveys: “Could it be that…?” or “Is it possible that…?” It expresses genuine doubt, surprise, or incredulity.
- Expressing general doubt:
- Che sia davvero lui il colpevole? (Could he really be the guilty one?)
- Che abbiano capito il messaggio? (Could they have understood the message?)
- Che la situazione sia così grave? (Could the situation really be that serious?)
- Expressing surprise or incredulity:
- Che sia arrivato primo lui? Non ci credo! (Could he have come first? I don’t believe it!)
- Che abbia detto proprio così? Mi sembra strano. (Could he have said exactly that? It seems strange to me.)
- Expressing wonder (with che cosa, chi, dove, come, perché):
- Che cosa abbia visto? (What could he have seen?)
- Chi sia stato? (Who could it have been?)
- Dove siano finiti? (Where could they have ended up?)
- Come abbia fatto? (How could he have done it?)
- Perché non sia venuto? (Why might he not have come?)
These constructions often overlap with other expressions of uncertainty [with Magari and Chissà]:
- Che + subj: Che sia vero? (Could it be true?)
- Chissà se + subj: Chissà se sia vero. (Who knows if it’s true?)
- Magari + subj: Magari fosse vero! (If only it were true!)
2. Expressing fear with Che + Subjunctive
The conjunction che followed by the subjunctive is also used to express fear, apprehension, or concern about a potential event. This construction often implies that the speaker is worried that something might happen or might have already happened.
A. Structure
Che + subjunctive (often in exclamations or after verbs of fearing implied)
B. Meaning and function
This construction conveys: “I’m afraid that…” or “What if…?” It expresses anxiety about a negative possibility.
- Fear about a past event (subjunctive past):
- Che abbia dimenticato l’appuntamento! (What if he forgot the appointment!)
- Che siano partiti senza di noi! (What if they left without us!)
- Che non abbia ricevuto il mio messaggio! (What if he didn’t receive my message!)
- Fear about a present situation (subjunctive present):
- Che sia malato! (What if he’s sick!)
- Che non capisca! (What if he doesn’t understand!)
- Che sia troppo tardi per rimediare! (What if it’s too late to fix things!)
- Fear about a future event (subjunctive present):
- Che piova durante la gita! (What if it rains during the trip!)
- Che non troviamo un taxi! (What if we can’t find a taxi!)
- Che il treno sia in ritardo! (What if the train is late!)
Use with paura che and temere che
These independent clauses often imply a preceding verb of fearing, even if it is not explicitly stated:
| Explicit (Dependent Clause) | Implicit (Independent Clause) |
| Ho paura che si sia perso. (I’m afraid he got lost.) Temo che sia troppo tardi. (I fear it’s too late.) | Che si sia perso! (What if he got lost!) Che sia troppo tardi! (What if it’s too late!) |
Expressing hypothesis with E se + Subjunctive
The conjunction e se (and if / what if) followed by the subjunctive is used to introduce hypothetical or conjectural questions. This construction expresses a potential but uncertain situation that the speaker is considering or proposing.
A. Structure
E se + subjunctive (present or past)
This construction conveys: “What if…?” or “And if…?” It introduces a hypothesis that may be plausible, worrying, hopeful, or simply curious.
- Hypothetical future (subjunctive present):
- E se domani nevicasse? (What if it snowed tomorrow?)
- E se non arrivasse in tempo? (What if he doesn’t arrive on time?)
- E se ci incontrassimo al bar? (What if we met at the bar? – also a polite suggestion)
- E se fosse meglio aspettare? (What if it were better to wait?)
- Hypothetical past (subjunctive past):
- E se fosse stato lui il ladro? (What if he was the thief?)
- E se avessimo preso il treno sbagliato? (What if we took the wrong train?)
- E se non avesse capito il mio messaggio? (What if he didn’t understand my message?)
- Polite suggestions (using the imperfect subjunctive for politeness):
- E se andassimo al cinema stasera? (What if we went to the cinema tonight? – suggestion)
- E se provassi a chiamarlo? (What if you tried to call him? – suggestion)
- E se prendessimo un caffè insieme? (What if we had a coffee together? – polite invitation)
E se + Subjunctive vs. Se + Indicative
- E se + subjunctive [What if? (hypothetical, uncertain)]
- E se piovesse? (What if it rained? — uncertain)
- Se + indicative [If (real condition)]
- Se piove, restiamo a casa. (If it rains, we stay home — real possibility)
- Se + past subjunctive [If (unreal/hypothetical condition)]
- Se piovesse, resteremmo a casa. (If it rained, we would stay home — hypothetical)