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Present perfect subjunctive

The present perfect subjunctive is formed by adding the past participle of the main verb to the present subjunctive of the auxiliary (avere or essere).

The present perfect subjunctive has the same uses as the present subjunctive, except for the sequence of tenses.

Compare:

Sono contento ch’egli stia bene. — I am glad that he is well.

Sono contenta ch’egli sia partito. — I am glad he left.

Vorrà ch’io vada con lei. — She will want me to go with her.

Non gli dica che te l’abbia detto io. — Don’t tell him that I told you.

Dubiterà ch’io sia uscito. — He will doubt that I went out.

Thus, as these examples show, a main verb in the present, future, or imperative may be followed by a verb in the present subjunctive or in the present perfect subjunctive. The present perfect subjunctive will be used whenever the action of the dependent clause is past in relation to the principal clause.


VOCABULARY

coloro che
those (people) who
cucinare
to cook
errare
to err, to be mistaken
gridare
to shout, to cry
in ritardo 
late
mi dispiace
I am sorry
ricordarsi 
to remember
rivolgersi
to turn
sperare
to hope

 

License

Italian for Reading & Translation Copyright © by Lauren Surovi and Carleton W. Carroll. All Rights Reserved.

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