tale...che / così...che
Consecutive Clauses (Tale/così...che)
Consecutive clauses (proposizioni consecutive) describe the result of an action or quality. They are introduced by correlative pairs like così...che (so...that) or tale...che (such...that).
How It Works
Consecutive clauses explain the 'consequence' or result of a high degree of something. They can be explicit (using a conjugated verb) or implicit (using an infinitive).
1. Così...che (Adverbial)
The word così is an invariable adverb.
- With Adjectives/Adverbs: It is placed before them to indicate intensity. Example: È così alto che tocca il soffitto.
- With Verbs: To modify a verb, use the form così tanto che. Example: Pioveva così tanto che non siamo usciti.
2. Tale...che (Adjectival)
The word tale is an adjective and must agree in number with the noun it modifies: tale (singular) or tali (plural). It emphasizes the magnitude of a noun.
Example: C'era un tale silenzio che si sentiva il battito del cuore.
3. Implicit Form: Così/Tale... da + Infinitivo
When the subject of the main clause and the consecutive clause is the same, Italian often uses an implicit construction. Instead of che + indicative, use da followed by the infinitive.
Example: È così stanco da non riuscire a parlare. (He is so tired [as] to not be able to speak).
4. Choice of Mood (Explicit Clauses)
- Indicative: Used for real, factual results (most common).
- Subjunctive: Used for hypothetical or intended consequences (e.g., Agisci in modo tale che tutti ti stimino).
- Conditional: Used if the result depends on another condition (e.g., Sarei così felice che griderei, se potessi).
Examples (6)
- Ero così stanco che mi sono addormentato subito.
I was so tired that I fell asleep immediately.
Word by Word: I was so tired that myself I am fallen asleep immediately.
Here, 'così' modifies the adjective 'stanco' to show the intensity that led to the result.
- C'era un tale rumore che non riuscivo a studiare.
There was such a noise that I couldn't study.
Word by Word: There was a such noise that not I was succeeding to study.
'Tale' is used here because it modifies the noun 'rumore' (noise).
- Ho mangiato così tanto che ora mi sento male.
I ate so much that now I feel sick.
Word by Word: I have eaten so much that now myself I feel bad.
When modifying a verb, 'così' is often paired with 'tanto' to express intensity.
- È così pigro da non voler nemmeno uscire di casa.
He is so lazy that he doesn't even want to leave the house.
Word by Word: He is so lazy from not to want even to exit from house.
This is an implicit consecutive clause using 'da' + infinitive because the subject remains the same.
- Gridava con tali grida che tutti si spaventarono.
He was shouting with such screams that everyone got scared.
Word by Word: He was shouting with such screams that everyone themselves scared.
Notice how 'tale' becomes 'tali' to agree with the plural noun 'grida'.
- Il freddo era tale da far ghiacciare l'acqua nei tubi.
The cold was such that it made the water in the pipes freeze.
Word by Word: The cold was such from to make to freeze the water in the pipes.
The construction 'tale da' + infinitive is used here to express the consequence of the cold.
Common Mistakes
Using 'tale' with an adjective instead of 'così'.
Era tale stanco che non ha mangiato.Era così stanco che non ha mangiato.'Tale' is an adjective and modifies nouns. To modify an adjective like 'stanco', you must use the adverb 'così'.
Forgetting to agree 'tale' with plural nouns.
Faceva un tale rumori che non dormivo.Faceva tali rumori che non dormivo.'Tale' must agree in number with the noun it modifies. Since 'rumori' is plural, 'tale' must become 'tali'.
Confusing consecutive results with purpose (final clauses).
Studio così che imparo l'italiano.Studio così tanto che imparo l'italiano.If you want to express a result of intensity, you need the correlative 'così [adjective/adverb] che'. Without the intensity word, it sounds like a purpose clause, which would require the subjunctive.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand consecutive clauses with 'tale/così...che', learners need to be familiar with correlative structures (where two words work together to link ideas) and the concept of expressing intensity or degree to show a result.
- così...come / tanto...quantoComparative of Equality (Così...come / Tanto...quanto)
The structure 'così...che' is functionally and structurally related to the comparative of equality 'così...come', which introduces the concept of correlative pairs.
Level 2 - e / ma / o / perché / quindiBasic Conjunctions
Understanding basic conjunctions is necessary to grasp how clauses are linked together to express logical relationships like cause and consequence.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- Adjective Agreement
Explains how 'tale' must change to 'tali' to match plural nouns.
Level 1 - Truncation
Explains why 'tale' sometimes becomes 'tal' in formal or literary contexts (e.g., 'tal che').
Level 1 - affinché / benché / sebbene + SubjunctiveSubjunctive After Purpose/Concession Conjunctions
Contrasts consecutive clauses (usually indicative) with purpose clauses (always subjunctive).
Level 3 - talché / cosicchéFormal Result Connectors (Talché, Cosicché)
Covers the single-word conjunctions used for results in more formal registers.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Sources
Practice tale...che / così...che in Bubblegum
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