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The present subjunctive (or congiuntivo)

In Italian, the congiuntivo presente (present subjunctive) is a common form, used both in more archaic as well as modern Italian. Rather than stating facts (as with the indicative mood), it expresses doubt, possibility, uncertainty, opinion, or personal feelings. It can also express emotion, desire, or suggestions.

The endings of first-conjugation verbs in the present subjunctive are –i, –i, –i, –iamo, –iate, –ino.

The endings for the second and third conjugations and all irregular verbs are –a, –a, –a, –iamo, –iate, –ano.

The subjunctive endings are attached to the stem of the verb in all cases.

The only exception is in cases of the –isc– verbs (ex. finire, pulire, spedire, restituire, etc.) of the third conjugation, in which case the –isc– of the present indicative appears in the first, second, and third persons singular and the third person plural.

Note: The “present tense” discussed in previous units is technically called the “present indicative.” The present (and the other indicative tenses) state facts.

The subjunctive is less objective and is essentially a mood of doubt, uncertainty, emotions and personal reaction to facts, rather than a statement of them.

NOTE: In the irregular verbs, it is the stem that is irregular, but the verb is usually easily recognized if you know the present indicative. For example, observe the similarities between the indicative and the subjunctive of the verbs andare and venire.

andare

Indicative                                    Subjunctive

vado        andiamo                       vada        andiamo

vai           andate                          vada        andiate

va             vanno                           vada        vadano

venire

Indicative                                   Subjunctive

vengo       veniamo                     venga       veniamo

vieni         venite                         venga       veniate

viene       vengono                      venga       vengano

Uses and translations of the subjunctive will be taken up in subsequent sections.

VOCABULARY