nonostante / sebbene / benché + Subjunctive
Subjunctive with Concessive Conjunctions
In Italian, concessive conjunctions like nonostante, sebbene, and benché (all meaning 'although' or 'despite') require the subjunctive mood. Unlike many other subjunctive triggers, these usually introduce a real, factual situation rather than a doubt.
How It Works
Concessive clauses (proposizioni concessive) are used to acknowledge a reality while asserting that the main clause remains true regardless.
1. The Main Conjunctions:
- Nonostante / Malgrado: These are very versatile. They can be prepositions (followed by a noun: Malgrado il freddo) or conjunctions (followed by a verb: Nonostante faccia freddo).
- Sebbene / Benché: These are slightly more formal. While they usually introduce a full clause with a verb, they can also be used in implicit clauses followed directly by an adjective or a past participle (e.g., Sebbene stanco...). Note that benché always takes an acute accent on the 'é'.
2. The Subjunctive Requirement:
Even though these conjunctions describe facts (e.g., 'Although I am tired'), they are syntactic triggers for the subjunctive. To become proficient in their use, you must apply the sequence of tenses based on the time relationship:
- Simultaneity: Use the Present Subjunctive (if the main verb is present) or Imperfect Subjunctive (if the main verb is past).
- Anteriority: If the 'although' action happened before the main action, use the Past Subjunctive or Past Perfect Subjunctive.
3. Register Note:
In casual conversation, Italians often use anche se. When followed by the indicative, it refers to real facts (Anche se piove, esco). However, anche se can also take the subjunctive to express a hypothetical 'even if' (Anche se piovesse, uscirei). Using nonostante or sebbene with the subjunctive marks a more educated or formal register.
Examples (5)
- Nonostante sia stanco, continuo a lavorare.
Despite being tired, I continue to work.
Word by Word: Despite (that I) be tired, I continue to work.
Here, 'nonostante' triggers the present subjunctive 'sia' because the main action is in the present.
- Sebbene avesse studiato molto, non ha superato l'esame.
Although he had studied a lot, he didn't pass the exam.
Word by Word: Although (he) had studied much, not (he) has passed the exam.
Since the main event is in the past, we use the past perfect subjunctive 'avesse studiato' to show the study happened before the exam.
- Benché faccia freddo, i bambini giocano fuori.
Although it is cold, the children are playing outside.
Word by Word: Although (it) makes cold, the children play outside.
'Benché' is a formal synonym for 'sebbene' and requires the subjunctive 'faccia'.
- Sebbene stanco, uscì a fare una passeggiata.
Although tired, he went out for a walk.
Word by Word: Although tired, (he) went out to make a walk.
This is an implicit concessive clause where 'sebbene' is followed directly by an adjective, omitting the verb 'to be'.
- Nonostante il traffico, siamo arrivati in tempo.
Despite the traffic, we arrived on time.
Word by Word: Despite the traffic, (we) are arrived in time.
This shows 'nonostante' used as a preposition followed by a noun, which does not require a verb.
Common Mistakes
Using the indicative mood after these conjunctions.
Sebbene piove, vado al mare.Sebbene piova, vado al mare.Even though the rain is a fact, 'sebbene' grammatically requires the subjunctive 'piova', not the indicative 'piove'.
Confusing 'anche se' with 'sebbene'.
Anche se sia tardi, resto qui.Anche se è tardi, resto qui.'Anche se' usually takes the indicative when referring to real facts. If you want to use the subjunctive, use 'sebbene' or 'nonostante'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the use of 'nonostante', 'sebbene', and 'benché', a learner must first be proficient in the formation of the present and past subjunctive. Additionally, a general understanding of the triggers for the subjunctive mood in Italian provides the necessary context for why these specific concessive conjunctions require it.
- Past Subjunctive
The learner needs to know the past subjunctive to express concessions regarding past events.
Level 3 - Verbs/Expressions Triggering the Subjunctive
Understanding the general logic of when the subjunctive is required in subordinate clauses is essential before learning specific conjunctions like nonostante.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- Present Subjunctive
This is the most common tense used after these conjunctions when the main verb is in the present and the actions are simultaneous.
Level 3 - Imperfect Subjunctive
Used after these conjunctions when the main action took place in the past or to express a hypothetical condition.
Level 4 - siccome / poiché / dato cheCausal Conjunctions (Siccome, Poiché, Dato Che)
These are causal conjunctions (because/since) which contrast with concessive conjunctions (although).
Level 2 - Sequence of Tenses with the Subjunctive
Essential for choosing the correct subjunctive tense based on the time relationship between the clauses.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Sources
Practice nonostante / sebbene / benché + 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.
