Imperfect Subjunctive
The congiuntivo imperfetto is the past version of the subjunctive. It is easily recognized by its double -ss- endings (e.g., amassi, vedessi, partissi). It is essential for 'if' clauses (hypotheticals) and for expressing desires or doubts about past events.
How It Works
The Imperfect Subjunctive is a cornerstone of advanced Italian. Its usage is governed by two main factors: Syntax (the tense of the main clause) and Meaning (subjectivity).
1. Conjugation Pattern:
Remove the infinitive ending and add the following:
- -are: -assi, -assi, -asse, -assimo, -aste, -assero
- -ere: -essi, -essi, -esse, -essimo, -este, -essero
- -ire: -issi, -issi, -isse, -issimo, -iste, -issero
Note that the io and tu forms are identical; context or pronouns are needed for clarity.
2. Main Triggers:
- Past Main Verb: If you say 'I wanted that...', the 'wanted' (volevo) triggers the imperfect subjunctive: Volevo che tu venissi.
- Hypothetical 'If' Clauses: In the second conditional, the 'if' part always uses this tense: Se fossi ricco... (If I were rich...).
- Wishes (Ottativo): Used with magari to express a strong wish: Magari fosse vero! (If only it were true!).
3. Irregular Roots:
Many irregulars follow their Latin roots: fare becomes facessi, dire becomes dicessi, and bere becomes bevessi. Essere is highly irregular: fossi, fossi, fosse, fossimo, foste, fossero.
Examples (5)
- Speravo che tu venissi alla mia festa.
I was hoping that you would come to my party.
Word by Word: I was hoping that you came (subj.) to the my party.
The main verb 'speravo' is in the imperfect indicative, which triggers the imperfect subjunctive 'venissi' for a simultaneous action.
- Se avessi più soldi, comprerei una Ferrari.
If I had more money, I would buy a Ferrari.
Word by Word: If I had (subj.) more money, I would buy a Ferrari.
This is a classic hypothetical sentence. The condition (if...) requires the imperfect subjunctive 'avessi'.
- Magari potessi venire con voi in Italia!
If only I could come with you to Italy!
Word by Word: If only I could (subj.) to come with you in Italy!
Here, the imperfect subjunctive expresses a wish that is unlikely or impossible at the moment.
- Non sapevo che Marco parlasse così bene il cinese.
I didn't know that Marco spoke Chinese so well.
Word by Word: Not I knew that Marco spoke (subj.) so well the Chinese.
The negative main verb 'non sapevo' triggers the subjunctive to express the speaker's subjective discovery.
- Vorrei che facesse meno freddo oggi.
I wish it were less cold today.
Word by Word: I would want that it made (subj.) less cold today.
The present conditional 'vorrei' triggers the imperfect subjunctive to express a current wish for a different reality.
Common Mistakes
Using the conditional instead of the subjunctive in 'if' clauses.
Se avrei tempo, andrei al cinema.Se avessi tempo, andrei al cinema.In Italian, the 'if' (se) part of a hypothetical sentence never takes the conditional; it must take the subjunctive.
Using the indicative 'imperfetto' in formal speech.
Pensavo che eri a casa.Pensavo che fossi a casa.While common in very casual conversation, using the indicative after verbs of thinking in the past is considered grammatically incorrect in formal contexts.
Using the indicative imperfect after 'volevo che'.
Volevo che voi andavate via.Volevo che voi andaste via.After 'volere' in the past, standard Italian needs the imperfect subjunctive: 'andaste', not 'andavate'. Note that 'andaste' looks like the passato remoto; the main verb 'volevo' tells you it is a subjunctive.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the imperfect subjunctive, you must first understand the general logic of the subjunctive mood (when to use it instead of the indicative) and be familiar with the indicative imperfect tense, as the imperfect subjunctive is used to maintain tense harmony when the main clause is in a past or conditional tense.
- Imperfect Tense
The imperfect subjunctive shares morphological similarities with the indicative imperfect and is used to express ongoing or habitual actions in the past within the subjunctive mood.
Level 2 - Verbs/Expressions Triggering the Subjunctive
To use the imperfect subjunctive correctly, the learner must first know which verbs and expressions (opinions, desires, doubts) trigger the use of the subjunctive mood in subordinate clauses.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- Present Subjunctive
The present counterpart; understanding the present subjunctive is necessary to grasp the shift to the imperfect when the main verb moves to the past.
Level 3 - se + Imperfect Subjunctive + ConditionalPossible Conditional (Type 2: Se + Congiuntivo Imperfetto)
The imperfect subjunctive is the mandatory tense for the 'if' clause in this type of hypothetical sentence.
Level 3 - Past Perfect Subjunctive
The 'past perfect' version of the subjunctive, used for actions that happened even further back in the past relative to the imperfect subjunctive.
Level 4 - magari'Magari' (Maybe / if Only)
Magari is the most common word used to trigger the imperfect subjunctive in independent 'wish' clauses.
Level 2 - Present Conditional (Regular)
The present conditional is frequently paired with the imperfect subjunctive in hypothetical constructions.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Sources
Practice Imperfect Subjunctive in Bubblegum
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