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Home » Italian grammar lesson 181: Periodo ipotetico di secondo tipo [della possibilità] / hypothetical period of the second type [of possibility].

Italian grammar lesson 181: Periodo ipotetico di secondo tipo [della possibilità] / hypothetical period of the second type [of possibility].

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The hypothetical period of possibility indicates a consequence that will probably happen in the present or future, which we hope for.

  • The condition and the consequence are dubious and theoretical, but possible.

The tenses used are:

PROTASIS -condition
(dependent clause)
APODOSIS – consequence
(main sentence)
SeImperfect subjunctiveSimple conditional
Imperative

Imperfect subjunctive > Simple conditional

  • Se tu gli confidassi questo segreto, ti capirebbe senz’altro.
  • If you told him this secret, he would definitely understand you.
  • Se glielo chiedessi con la forma dovuta, non saprebbe dirti di no.
  • If you asked him properly, he wouldn’t be able to say no.
  • Se lo andaste a trouare, gli fareste un immenso piacere.
  • If you went to visit him, you would do him an immense pleasure.
  • Se non dovesse essere promosso, sarebbe un grande dispiacere per i suoi.
  • If he doesn’t get promoted, it would be a great disappointment for his team.
  • Se lei dovesse licenziarsi, ci metterebbe nei guai.
  • If she were to quit, it would get us in trouble.
  • Se fossi in te, partirei domani.
  • If I were you, I would leave tomorrow.
  • Se fossi io il direttore, cambierei tutto.
  • If I were the director, I would change everything.
  • Se fossi il padrone del mondo, abolirei tutte le guerre.
  • If I were the master of the world, I would abolish all wars.
  • Se avessi i soldi, mi comprerei una Jaguar.
  • If I had the money, I’d buy a Jaguar.
  • Se solo potessi, smetterei di lavorare.
  • If only I could, I would stop working.

Imperfect subjunctive > Imperative

  • Se dovesse tornarle la febbre, prenda 20 di queste gocce!
  • If your fever comes back, take 20 of these drops!
  • Se non ti dovesse rispondere, riprova a telefonare nel pomeriggio!
  • If he doesn’t answer you, try calling again in the afternoon!
  • Se avessi bisogno di me, chiamami in qualsiasi momento!
  • If you need me, call me anytime!