Usi del congiuntivo / Uses of the subjunctive.

The subjunctive is used in dependent (subordinate) or independent clauses:

• 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.
• An independent (also called main/simple) clause is a clause that does not depend on any other clauses and makes complete sense.

1. The subjunctive in dependent (subordinate) clauses

The subjunctive in dependent clauses comes with:

A). VERBS + CHE:

1. Verbs that express subjectivity, opinion, doubt, uncertainty, necessity, possibility, probability, will, desire, fear, hope, wish, expectation moods: pleasure, displeasure, shame. etc.
   • Ritengo che lui sia uscito.
   • I think he’s out.
   • Desidero che voi usciate.
   • I want you to come out.
   • Spero che lui venga.
   • I hope he comes
2. Impersonal verbs + che: sembra , pare (it seems), occorre (it is nesessary), bisogna (it must),importa (it matters), basta (it is enough), ecc.
   • Sembra che arrivino.
   • It seems they are coming.
   • Basta che paghino.
   • As long as they pay.
   • Occorrerà che faccia in fretta.
   • You’ll need to hurry.
3. Verb essere + adjective/adverb or noun + che:
   • È possibile che perdano.
   • It is possible that they will lose.
   • È ora/tempo che partiate.
   • It’s time for you to leave.

B). Conjunctions or locutions with value:

1. Final (affinché, perché, etc.)
   • Parla forte, affinché tutti ti sentano.
   • Speak loudly, so that everyone can hear you.
2. Concessive (benché, sebbene, quantunque, nonostante, etc.)
   • Benché lui sia stanco, continua a lavorare.
   • Although he is tired, he continues to work.
3. Conditional or hypothetical (se qualora, purché, etc.)
   • Se potessi, ci andrei.
   • If I could, I would go.
   • Sono d’accordo purché tu faccia come ti dico.
   • I agree as long as you do as I say.
4. Comparative (più/meno di quanto non, come se, quasi che etc.)
   • Parla forte, come se fossero tutti sordi.
   • Speak loudly, as if they were all deaf.
5. Exclusive and excepted (senza che, tranne che, a meno che. etc.)
   • Puoi farlo senza che nessuno se ne accorga.
   • You can do it without anyone noticing.
6. Temporal (prima che, finché non, etc.)
   • Partirò prima che faccia buio.
   • I’ll leave before dark.
7. Consecutive (in modo tale che, etc.)
   • Fece in modo tale che si accorgesse di lui.
   • He made sure that she noticed him.
8. Negative causal (non perché..ma perché, etc.)
   • Parla, non perché sia invidioso, ma perché è uno sciocco.
   • He speaks, not because he is envious, but because he is a fool.
9. Indirect questions (che cosa perché, come, quando, dove, etc.)
   • Volle sapere che cosa dicessero.
   • He wanted to know what they said.

2. The subjunctive in independent clauses

The subjunctive with independent clauses expresses:

1. Doubt

• Non c’è’: che stia male? E se dovesse piovere?
• There isn’t: is he ill? What if it were to rain?

2. Desire or regret

• Potessi venire con te!
• I could come with you!
• Magari ti avessi dato retta!
• I wish I had listened to you!
• Almeno mi telefonasse!
• At least call me!

3. Exhortation or command

• Si accomodi!
• Come in!
• Leggano e imparino, cari signori!
• Read and learn, dear gentlemen!

4. Consent or admission

• Che venga pure, mi farà piacere!
• Come along, I’ll be happy!
• Me lo chiedesse in ginocchio, non cederò.
• If he asks me on my knees, I won’t give in.

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