Sequence of Tenses with the Subjunctive
The concordanza dei tempi (sequence of tenses) ensures that the relationship between two actions—whether they happen at the same time, one before the other, or one after the other—is logically expressed when using the subjunctive mood.
How It Works
To use the subjunctive correctly, you must identify which 'block' your main verb belongs to:
1. The Present/Future Block
If the main verb is in the Present, Future, or Imperative:
- Simultaneity: Use congiuntivo presente. (Spero che tu stia bene)
- Anteriority (Past): Use congiuntivo passato. (Spero che tu abbia dormito)
2. The Past/Conditional Block
If the main verb is in the Imperfetto, Passato Prossimo, Passato Remoto, or Conditional, these are the usual choices (after a passato prossimo that is still relevant now, the present subjunctive is also possible):
- Simultaneity: Use congiuntivo imperfetto. (Speravo che tu stessi bene)
- Anteriority (Past): Use congiuntivo trapassato. (Speravo che tu avessi dormito)
Special Case: Posteriority (The Future)
Italian has no future subjunctive, so a later action normally takes the present subjunctive after present triggers (Spero che tu venga domani) and the imperfect subjunctive after past triggers (Speravo che tu venissi). In everyday speech, the future indicative (Spero che verrai) and the condizionale passato (Speravo che saresti venuto) are also common.
Syntactic Note: Remember that the subjunctive is generally used only when the subjects of the two clauses are different. If the subjects are the same, use di + infinitive (e.g., Credo di avere ragione).
Examples (5)
- Temo che il treno sia in ritardo.
I fear the train is late.
Word by Word: I fear that the train be in delay.
Main verb is Present (Temo); action is simultaneous, so we use the Present Subjunctive (sia).
- Dubito che Marco abbia finito il lavoro ieri.
I doubt that Marco finished the work yesterday.
Word by Word: I doubt that Marco has finished the work yesterday.
Main verb is Present (Dubito); action happened in the past, so we use the Past Subjunctive (abbia finito).
- Non sapevo che tu fossi già qui.
I didn't know you were already here.
Word by Word: Not I knew that you were already here.
Main verb is Past (sapevo); action is simultaneous to that past moment, so we use the Imperfect Subjunctive (fossi).
- Credevo che avessero già mangiato.
I thought they had already eaten.
Word by Word: I thought that they had already eaten.
Main verb is Past (Credevo); action happened even further in the past, so we use the Past Perfect Subjunctive (avessero mangiato).
- Vorrei che tu venissi alla festa stasera.
I would like you to come to the party tonight.
Word by Word: I would like that you came to the party tonight.
The Conditional (Vorrei) acts as a past trigger, requiring the Imperfect Subjunctive (venissi) for simultaneous/future actions.
Common Mistakes
Mixing the 'Past' trigger with a 'Present' subjunctive.
Pensavo che tu venga.Pensavo che tu venissi.If the main verb is in the past (Pensavo), you cannot use the present subjunctive. You must shift to the imperfect subjunctive (venissi).
Using the subjunctive when the subject is the same in both clauses.
Credo che io sia stanco.Credo di essere stanco.When the subject is the same (I think + I am), Italian prefers the 'implicit' form using 'di' + infinitive rather than the subjunctive.
Using the present subjunctive after a conditional verb.
Vorrei che tu sia felice.Vorrei che tu fossi felice.The conditional mood (Vorrei) is treated as a past tense in the sequence of tenses, so it triggers the imperfect subjunctive.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the sequence of tenses (concordance), a learner must first be comfortable with the triggers for the subjunctive mood and have a solid grasp of all four subjunctive tenses (present, past, imperfect, and past perfect) to correctly map them to the main verb's timeframe.
Related Patterns
- Present Subjunctive
The base tense used for simultaneous actions in the present/future block.
Level 3 - Imperfect Subjunctive
The tense used for simultaneous actions when the main verb is in a past tense or conditional.
Level 4 - Past Subjunctive
Used to express an action that happened before a present-tense main verb.
Level 3 - Verbs/Expressions Triggering the Subjunctive
Provides the list of 'trigger' verbs that necessitate using this sequence of tenses.
Level 3 - Past Conditional for 'Future in the Past'
Explains how to express future actions when the main verb is in the past, as there is no future subjunctive.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Sequence of Tenses with the Subjunctive in Bubblegum
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