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Il periodo ipotetico [il se condizionale] / The hypothetical period [the conditional if].

The hypothetical conditional consists of two sentences: protasis and apodosis.

  1. The protasis: expresses the hypothesis or condition: se non piove (if it doesn’t rain)
  2. The apodosis: expresses the consequence: vado a fare la spesa (I’ll go shopping)

The order of the two sentences is not fixed:

  • Se gli telefoni (frase dipendente), gli fai piacere (frase principale)
  • If you call him (dependent clause), you make him happy (main clause)
  • Gli fai piacere (frase principale), se gli telefoni (frase dipendente)
  • You make him happy (main clause), if you phone him (dependent clause)

The hypothetical period is of three types:

  1. REALITY – The hypothesis is given as real. The indicative or imperative mood is used (in the apodosis).
    • Se vieni con noi, siamo contenti.
    • If you come with us, we are (will be) happy.
    • Se verrai, non ti pentirai.
    • If you come, you won’t regret it.
  2. POSSIBILITY – The hypothesis is given as possible. The subjunctive (prosthesis) is used and the conditional or imperative (apodosis).
    • Se cambiassi lavoro, guadagnerei di più.
    • If you changed jobs, you would earn more.
    • Se prendessi questa medicina, ti sentiresti meglio.
    • If you took this medicine, you would feel better.
  3. IMPOSSIBILITY – The hypothesis is given as impossible. The subjunctive (prosthesis) is used and the conditional (apodosis).
    • Se avessi le ali, volerei.
    • If I had wings, I would fly.
    • Se tu gli avessi scritto, l’avresti fatto contento e ora saresti soddisfatto.
    • If you had written to him, you would have made him happy and now you would be satisfied.