chiunque / qualunque / dovunque + Subjunctive
Subjunctive After Chiunque, Qualunque, Dovunque
Indefinite relatives like chiunque (whoever), qualunque (whatever), and dovunque (wherever) typically trigger the subjunctive mood in the subordinate clause to emphasize that the specific person, thing, or place is unknown or irrelevant.
How It Works
In Italian, certain indefinite words act as 'double relatives'—they function as both a pronoun/adjective and a connector. Unlike other relative pronouns, they do not require the particle che.
1. The Main Players:
- Chiunque: (Whoever/No matter who) An invariable pronoun. Chiunque sia, non aprire. (Whoever it is, don't open.)
- Qualunque / Qualsiasi: (Whatever/Whichever) Invariable adjectives that precede a noun. Qualunque strada tu scelga... (Whichever road you choose...)
- Dovunque / Ovunque: (Wherever) Invariable adverbs of place. Ti seguirò dovunque tu vada. (I will follow you wherever you go.)
2. Mood Selection:
The subjunctive is used when the identity is truly indefinite or hypothetical. However, in modern casual speech, the indicative is sometimes used if the speaker is referring to a known fact or a future certainty (e.g., Chiunque vincerà...). For learners, using the subjunctive is always the safer and more elegant choice.
3. Word Order Nuance:
If qualunque or qualsiasi follows the noun (e.g., un libro qualunque), it often changes meaning to 'ordinary' or 'mediocre' and does not necessarily trigger the subjunctive.
Examples (5)
- Chiunque sia stato a chiamare, non ha lasciato un messaggio.
Whoever it was that called, they didn't leave a message.
Word by Word: Whoever be been to call, not has left a message.
Here, 'sia stato' is the past subjunctive because the identity of the caller is unknown.
- Qualunque cosa tu dica, non cambierò idea.
Whatever you say, I won't change my mind.
Word by Word: Whatever thing you say (subj.), not I will change idea.
The use of 'dica' (present subjunctive) emphasizes that the specific words spoken do not matter.
- Dovunque tu vada, sarò sempre con te.
Wherever you go, I will always be with you.
Word by Word: Wherever you go (subj.), I will be always with you.
The adverb 'dovunque' triggers the subjunctive 'vada' to cover all possible destinations.
- Accetterò qualsiasi decisione il comitato prenda.
I will accept whatever decision the committee makes.
Word by Word: I will accept whatever decision the committee takes (subj.).
'Qualsiasi' acts as an adjective modifying 'decisione', triggering the subjunctive 'prenda'.
- Chiunque voglia partecipare deve iscriversi entro domani.
Whoever wants to participate must sign up by tomorrow.
Word by Word: Whoever wants (subj.) participate must sign up within tomorrow.
This uses the subjunctive 'voglia' to refer to a general, non-specific group of people.
Common Mistakes
Adding 'che' after chiunque or qualunque.
Chiunque che venga sarà il benvenuto.Chiunque venga sarà il benvenuto.Words like 'chiunque' and 'qualunque' are already relative pronouns/adjectives. Adding 'che' is redundant and grammatically incorrect.
Adding 'che' and using the indicative after 'chiunque'.
Chiunque che sa la risposta può parlare.Chiunque sappia la risposta può parlare.'Chiunque' already works as a relative pronoun, so it needs no 'che'. In a subordinate clause it takes the subjunctive ('sappia').
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn this pattern, you first need to be comfortable with the forms of the present subjunctive. Additionally, you should understand the concept of indefinite pronouns and the general logic of when Italian requires the subjunctive mood instead of the indicative.
- qualcuno / qualcosa / ognunoIndefinite Pronouns (Qualcuno, Qualcosa, Ognuno)
Understanding the general category and function of indefinite pronouns is necessary before learning specific ones like 'chiunque' that trigger the subjunctive.
Level 2 - Verbs/Expressions Triggering the Subjunctive
This pattern is a specific case of the broader rule where certain triggers require the use of the subjunctive mood.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- Present Subjunctive
This is the most common tense used after these indefinite relatives.
Level 3 - Indicative vs Subjunctive
Understanding the choice between these moods is essential for correctly using indefinite relatives.
Level 3 - che / cuiRelative Pronouns 'Che' and 'Cui'
Indefinite relatives function similarly to standard relative pronouns but with added uncertainty.
Level 2 - affinché / benché / sebbene + SubjunctiveSubjunctive After Purpose/Concession Conjunctions
These conjunctions also trigger the subjunctive to express concession or purpose, similar to the logic of 'qualunque'.
Level 3 - Adjective Position
The meaning of 'qualunque' changes significantly depending on whether it is placed before or after the noun.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Sources
Practice chiunque / qualunque / dovunque + Subjunctive in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Italian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
