Difference between revisions of "Language/Italian/Grammar/Simple-Past-Subjunctive"
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The subjunctive mood is commonly used in Italian to express desires, doubts, possibilities, and emotions. In this lesson, we will focus on the simple past subjunctive tense, which is used to express conditions that are contrary to reality in the past. | The subjunctive mood is commonly used in Italian to express desires, doubts, possibilities, and emotions. In this lesson, we will focus on the simple past subjunctive tense, which is used to express conditions that are contrary to reality in the past. | ||
<span link>Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: [[Language/Italian/Grammar/Present-Tense|Present Tense]] & [[Language/Italian/Grammar/Futuro-Semplice|Futuro Semplice]].</span> | |||
== Formation == | == Formation == | ||
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* Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb in parentheses: Non credevo che ____ (essere) così complicato. | * Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb in parentheses: Non credevo che ____ (essere) così complicato. | ||
* Rewrite the sentence using the simple past subjunctive tense: Spero che passerai un bel weekend. (I hope you will have a nice weekend.) | * Rewrite the sentence using the simple past subjunctive tense: Spero che passerai un bel weekend. (I hope you will have a nice weekend.) | ||
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[[Category:Italian-0-to-A1-Course]] | [[Category:Italian-0-to-A1-Course]] | ||
==Other Lessons== | |||
== | |||
* [[Language/Italian/Grammar/Accents|Accents]] | * [[Language/Italian/Grammar/Accents|Accents]] | ||
* [[Language/Italian/Grammar/Futuro-Semplice|Futuro Semplice]] | * [[Language/Italian/Grammar/Futuro-Semplice|Futuro Semplice]] | ||
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{{Italian-Page-Bottom}} | {{Italian-Page-Bottom}} | ||
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Revision as of 22:23, 27 March 2023
The subjunctive mood is commonly used in Italian to express desires, doubts, possibilities, and emotions. In this lesson, we will focus on the simple past subjunctive tense, which is used to express conditions that are contrary to reality in the past.
Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Present Tense & Futuro Semplice.
Formation
The simple past subjunctive is formed by taking the third person plural of the past tense of the relevant verb, dropping the -rono ending, and adding the following endings:
Person | Ending |
---|---|
Io | -assi |
Tu | -assi |
Lui/Lei | -asse |
Noi | -assimo |
Voi | -aste |
Loro | -assero |
For example, the conjugation of the verb "essere" (to be) in the simple past subjunctive tense is as follows:
Person | Ending | Verb form |
---|---|---|
Io | -assi | fossi |
Tu | -assi | fossi |
Lui/Lei | -asse | fosse |
Noi | -assimo | fossimo |
Voi | -aste | foste |
Loro | -assero | fossero |
Usage
The simple past subjunctive is used to express hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situations in the past. It can be used in various types of subordinate clauses, such as:
- If-clauses expressing a hypothetical situation in the past:
* Se io avessi saputo che era malato, sarei andato a trovarlo. (If I had known he was ill, I would have gone to visit him.)
- Expressions of doubt or uncertainty:
* Dubitavo che fosse stato lui ad inviarmi il messaggio. (I doubted that it was him who sent me the message.)
- Wishes and hopes:
* Speravo che venisse alla festa. (I hoped he would come to the party.)
- Suppositions or assumptions:
* Immaginavo che avesse studiato molto per l'esame. (I assumed he had studied a lot for the test.)
Note that the conjunction "che" is always used in the subordinate clause.
Irregular verbs
There are some irregular verbs in the simple past subjunctive tense. Here are a few examples:
Verb | Stem | Ending |
---|---|---|
Avere | Foss- | -i |
Essere | Foss- | -e |
Dare | D- | -i |
Stare | Stess- | -e |
Fare | Fac- | -essi |
Sapere | Sapess- | -i |
For example, with the verb "fare" (to do), the simple past subjunctive is formed as follows:
Person | Ending | Verb form |
---|---|---|
Io | -essi | facessi |
Tu | -essi | facessi |
Lui/Lei | -esse | facesse |
Noi | -essimo | facessimo |
Voi | -este | faceste |
Loro | -essero | facessero |
Examples
Here are some examples of the simple past subjunctive tense in context:
- Se avessi saputo che era malato, sarei andato a trovarlo. (If I had known he was ill, I would have gone to visit him.)
- Dubitavo che avesse vinto la gara. (I doubted that he had won the race.)
- Speravo che tu avessi portato il vino. (I hoped you had brought the wine.)
- Immaginavo che avessero finito tutto il lavoro entro ieri. (I assumed they had finished all the work by yesterday.)
Exercises
- Conjugate the verb "essere" (to be) in the simple past subjunctive tense for the first person singular.
- Complete the sentence: Se avessi saputo la verità, _____. (If I had known the truth, _____.)
- Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb in parentheses: Non credevo che ____ (essere) così complicato.
- Rewrite the sentence using the simple past subjunctive tense: Spero che passerai un bel weekend. (I hope you will have a nice weekend.)
Sources
- Subjunctive – Learn Italian
- The past of the subjunctive (Italian grammar)
- Feelings for Bygone Times? Meet the Italian Past Subjunctive ...
Other Lessons
- Accents
- Futuro Semplice
- Present Tense of Regular Verbs
- Past Participle in Italian
- How to Use be
- Imperative Form
- Condizionale Presente
- Present Tense
- Present Subjunctive