purché / a condizione che / a patto che + Subjunctive
Subjunctive with Conditional Conjunctions
Italian uses purché, a condizione che, and a patto che to mean 'provided that' or 'on the condition that'. These always require the subjunctive mood.
How It Works
Conditional conjunctions are essential for setting specific terms. Here is how to use them:
- Purché: The most versatile and common way to say 'as long as' or 'provided that'. It is used in both speech and writing.
- A condizione che: Slightly more formal, often used in professional or legal contexts (like a contract).
- A patto che: Suggests a 'pact' or a specific bargain between people.
Grammar Rules:
1. Mood: You must always use the present subjunctive (or other subjunctive tenses depending on the main verb).
2. Same Subject: If the subject of both clauses is the same, Italian prefers the infinitive construction: a patto di or a condizione di + infinitive.
3. Informal Alternative: In casual conversation, Italians often use basta che (it's enough that) instead of purché.
Examples (5)
- Vengo alla festa, purché ci sia anche Marco.
I'm coming to the party, provided that Marco is there too.
Word by Word: I come to the party, provided there be also Marco.
Here, 'purché' triggers the subjunctive 'sia'. The condition is that Marco must be present.
- Ti presto la macchina, a condizione che tu faccia il pieno.
I'll lend you the car, on the condition that you fill the tank.
Word by Word: To you I lend the car, on condition that you make the full.
This uses a more formal conjunction to set a specific requirement for lending the car.
- Accetto il lavoro, a patto di poter lavorare da casa.
I accept the job, on the condition of being able to work from home.
Word by Word: I accept the job, on pact of to be able to work from home.
Since the subject (I) is the same for both verbs, we use 'a patto di' followed by the infinitive 'poter'.
- Puoi uscire, basta che tu torni entro mezzanotte.
You can go out, as long as you come back by midnight.
Word by Word: You can go out, it suffices that you return within midnight.
'Basta che' is the common informal equivalent to 'purché', still requiring the subjunctive 'torni'.
- Sarei venuto, purché tu me lo avessi chiesto.
I would have come, provided that you had asked me.
Word by Word: I would be come, provided that you to me it had asked.
This shows the past perfect subjunctive used when the main verb is in the past conditional.
Common Mistakes
Using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive.
Vengo purché tu vieni.Vengo purché tu venga.Conditional conjunctions like 'purché' are mandatory triggers for the subjunctive mood. Using the indicative 'vieni' is grammatically incorrect.
Confusing 'purché' with 'perché'.
Studio purché voglio imparare.Studio perché voglio imparare.'Perché' means 'because' or 'why'. 'Purché' is strictly for conditions (provided that). You cannot use 'purché' to explain a reason.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'purché', 'a condizione che', and 'a patto che', a learner must first be proficient in the formation of the subjunctive (both present and imperfect) and understand the syntactic requirement that certain conjunctions trigger a mood shift from the indicative to the subjunctive.
Related Patterns
- Present Subjunctive
This is the most common mood and tense used after these conditional conjunctions.
Level 3 - affinché / benché / sebbene + SubjunctiveSubjunctive After Purpose/Concession Conjunctions
Other conjunctions that, like 'purché', always require the subjunctive mood.
Level 3 - a meno che + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with 'A Meno Che' (Unless)
Another conditional conjunction that requires the subjunctive, but expresses an exception ('unless').
Level 4 - Verb + Infinitive
Used with 'a patto di' or 'a condizione di' when the subject of both clauses is the same.
Level 1 - se + Imperfect Subjunctive + ConditionalPossible Conditional (Type 2: Se + Congiuntivo Imperfetto)
While 'purché' sets a condition, the hypothetical period uses 'se' for more general 'if' scenarios.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Sources
Practice purché / a condizione che / a patto che + Subjunctive in Bubblegum
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