In our previous article, we looked at the uses of the congiuntivo presente and the congiuntivo passato. But what happens when the main clause shifts into the past or the conditional? That’s where the last two subjunctive tenses come in: the congiuntivo imperfetto and the congiuntivo trapassato.

In this article, you’ll find a clear explanation of these two tenses, practical examples and the pitfalls to avoid so you can use them with confidence.

1. The congiuntivo imperfetto and trapassato: a familiar logic

The logic is the same as for the two tenses we already covered:

• Congiuntivo imperfetto: the action in the subordinate clause happens at the same time as the action in the main clause (simultaneity), when the main clause is in a past tense or in the conditional.
• Congiuntivo trapassato: the action in the subordinate clause took place before the action in the main clause (anteriority).

You’ll find full explanations of how these tenses are formed in the Sillabi grammar resources.

2. The congiuntivo imperfetto: main uses

The congiuntivo imperfetto is used when the verb in the main clause is in a past tense (imperfetto, passato prossimo, passato remoto) or in the conditional. It’s used in the following cases:

a) After a verb expressing an opinion, a wish, a command or a doubt

– Immaginavo che fosse in casa.

b) After impersonal verbs (bisognava, sembrava…)

– Poteva darsi che dicesse la verità e noi non gli abbiamo creduto.

c) After essere in the third person singular + adjective or adverb (era probabile, era meglio, sarebbe bene, sarebbe stato meglio…)

– Sarebbe opportuno che riempiste i moduli dell’iscrizione prima di iniziare il corso.

d) After indefinite adjectives and pronouns (qualunque, chiunque, niente…)

– Non c’era nessuno che potesse aiutarci.

e) After comparative adjectives and relative superlatives

– Era più alto di quanto sembrasse in foto.

f) In various types of subordinate clauses

– Nonostante ci provassero, non riuscivano a fare goal. → concessive clause
– Ti ho inviato un messaggio affinché tu ti ricordassi del suo compleanno. → purpose clause

3. The congiuntivo trapassato: expressing anteriority in the past

Just like the imperfetto, it requires a main clause in a past tense or the conditional — but here the subordinate action happened before the one in the main clause. It’s used in the following cases:

a) After a verb expressing an opinion, a wish, a command or a doubt

– Non ero sicuro che fossero stati proprio loro a chiamarmi.

b) After impersonal verbs

– Poteva darsi che avessero detto la verità e noi non gli abbiamo creduto.

c) After essere + adjective or adverb

– Sarebbe stato opportuno che aveste riempito i moduli dell’iscrizione prima di iniziare il corso.

d) After indefinite adjectives and pronouns

– Non c’era nessuno che avesse potuto aiutarci.

e) After comparative adjectives and relative superlatives

– Era più alto di quanto fosse sembrato in foto.

f) After certain conjunctions (benché, nonostante, malgrado, sebbene)

– Nonostante ci avessero provato, non riuscivano a fare goal.

4. A special case: the verb sapere

The verb sapere only takes the congiuntivo in negative sentences. In affirmative sentences, it’s followed by the indicative.

– Non sapevo che fossi un appassionato di fotografia. (negative → congiuntivo)
– Sapevo che eri un appassionato di fotografia. (affirmative → indicative)

5. Same subject? No congiuntivo!

The rule from our previous article still applies: if the subject of the main clause is the same as the subject of the subordinate clause, you don’t use che + congiuntivo but di + infinitive:

– Ritenevo di essere troppo indulgente.

If the subject changes, however, the congiuntivo is required again:

– Ritenevo che Marco fosse troppo indulgente.

6. Quick summary: how to choose

➡️ Congiuntivo imperfetto: the action is simultaneous with the main clause (past or conditional), after a verb of:

✔ opinion, wish, command, doubt
✔ an impersonal verb
✔ essere + adjective/adverb (era meglio che…)
✔ an indefinite, a comparative/relative superlative, or a subordinate clause (nonostante, affinché…)

➡️ Congiuntivo trapassato: the action is prior, in the same contexts.

➡️ Di + infinitive: when the subject is the same in both clauses.

7. Want to go deeper?

Check out the grammar sheets on the use of the congiuntivo imperfetto e trapassato in the Sillabi grammar resources. And if you missed our article on the congiuntivo presente e passato, now’s a great time to revisit it: together, the two articles give you the complete picture of the Italian subjunctive.

8. And to really make progress in Italian…

Knowing the rules is a first step. To use the congiuntivo naturally, without stopping to think about every sentence, you need guided practice and a course that supports you step by step.

That’s exactly what the Allegramente! course offers: a clear, gradual and motivating path, with activities, videos and explanations designed to make Italian feel like second nature.

And if you’re not sure where to start, take our level test now: in just a few minutes, you’ll discover the ideal starting point for you.