If you’re learning Italian, you’ve probably already come across the congiuntivo. This slightly intimidating mood, which Italians themselves sometimes avoid in casual speech, turns up constantly in everyday language: to express a feeling, an opinion, a doubt or a wish. As an English speaker, you might assume you can get by without it: English does have a subjunctive, but it has all but disappeared, tucked away in a handful of fixed expressions (If I were you, I suggest that he leave). In Italian, by contrast, it’s alive and well in everyday speech, so learning it properly really is worth the effort.

In this article, you’ll find a clear explanation of the congiuntivo presente and the congiuntivo passato, plenty of practical examples and the pitfalls to avoid so you can use them with confidence.

1. The congiuntivo: what it is and how it works

The congiuntivo is used mainly in subordinate clauses (also called dependent clauses), most often introduced by che (“that”). It rarely states a certain fact: it usually conveys subjectivity (what we feel, think or want) or uncertainty.

Two tenses are on the menu in this article:

• Congiuntivo presente: 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 the present or future.
• Congiuntivo passato: the action in the subordinate clause took place before the action in the main clause (anteriority).

For how these tenses are formed, you’ll find full explanations in the Sillabi grammar resources.

2. The congiuntivo presente: after which verbs?

The present subjunctive is used when the main clause contains a verb expressing:

a) A feeling
Common verbs and expressions: dispiacere, temere, avere paura, rallegrarsi, sperare, essere contento.

– Mi dispiace che tu debba andare via subito.

b) An opinion
Common verbs and expressions: credere, pensare, ritenere, supporre, immaginare, avere l’impressione.

– Ho l’impressione che tu mi prenda in giro.

c) A wish or demand
Common verbs: volere, desiderare, pretendere, esigere, ordinare, permettere.

– Pretende che i suoi figli lavorino e studino.

d) A doubt
Common verbs and expressions: dubitare, domandarsi, chiedersi, non essere sicuro, non essere certo.

– Dubito che abbia solo 30 anni.

3. The congiuntivo presente: other uses

The present subjunctive isn’t limited to these four categories. You’ll also find it in the following cases.

a) After impersonal verbs or verbs used with the impersonal “si”
Examples: bisogna che, occorre che, sembra che, si dice che, si mormora che.

– Bisogna che ci accompagniate alla stazione.

b) After essere in the third person singular + adjective or adverb
Examples: è probabile, è meglio, è impossibile, è necessario.

– È impossibile che Elisa prenda un voto alto in geografia.

c) After indefinite adjectives and pronouns
Examples: qualsiasi, comunque, chiunque, qualunque.

– Chiunque dica cattiverie, non è mio amico.

d) In other types of subordinate clauses
Examples of conjunctions: nonostante, benché, sebbene, affinché, prima che.

– Nonostante ci provi, non riesce a fare goal. → subordonnée concessive
– Ho aperto le finestre affinché entri un po’ d’aria. → subordonnée finale

In English, these conjunctions (although, so that, before) are followed by an ordinary verb form, so it’s easy to forget the congiuntivo in Italian. Make it a habit to check for it whenever you use them.

4. The congiuntivo passato: expressing a prior action

The congiuntivo passato is used to talk about an action that is already completed relative to the moment of the main clause. The contexts are the same as for the present: it’s the timing of the action that makes the difference.

Compare these two sentences:

• È probabile che Emanuele trovi un nuovo lavoro. → the action is still to come or ongoing (present)
• È probabile che Emanuele abbia trovato un nuovo lavoro. → the action is already completed (past)

As for the present, the congiuntivo passato is used after a verb expressing:

a) A feeling

– Mi dispiace che tu abbia dovuto aspettare così tanto.

b) An opinion

– Penso che abbia frainteso le mie parole.

c) A wish or demand

– Voglio che tu abbia finito i compiti prima di cena.

d) A doubt

– Mi domando se Daria si sia laureata.

It’s also used in the following contexts.

a) After impersonal verbs or verbs used with the impersonal “si”

– Si dice che il consigliere abbia lasciato l’incarico.

b) After essere + adjective or adverb

– È probabile che Emanuele abbia trovato un nuovo lavoro.

c) After indefinite adjectives and pronouns

– Comunque sia andata, io non ci vedo chiaro.

d) In other types of subordinate clauses

– Di solito se ne va, prima che abbia potuto salutarlo.
– Nonostante si sia preparato per un mese, teme molto questa prova.

5. Same subject? No congiuntivo!

Here’s a very useful rule. If the subject of the main clause is the same as the subject of the subordinate clause, you don’t use the congiuntivo but di + past infinitive:

– Credono di aver letto tutto.

And if the main clause contains potere, volere, dovere, preferire or desiderare, the infinitive follows without the preposition di:

– Preferisco aver installato internet prima di trasferirmi nei nuovi uffici.

6. Mistakes to avoid

❌ Spero che tu stai bene.
✔️ Spero che tu stia bene.
Why? Sperare expresses a hope, so it requires the congiuntivo.

❌ Penso che ha finito il lavoro.
✔️ Penso che abbia finito il lavoro.
Why? An opinion followed by a prior action requires the congiuntivo passato.

❌ Credono che hanno letto tutto.
✔️ Credono di aver letto tutto.
Why? The subject is the same in both clauses: you use di + past infinitive.

7. Quick summary: how to choose

Congiuntivo presente: the action is simultaneous with the main clause (present or future), after a verb of:

• feeling, opinion, wish, doubt
• an impersonal verb or the impersonal “si”
• essere + adjective/adverb (è meglio che…)
• an indefinite (chiunque, qualsiasi…)
• or in a subordinate clause (nonostante, affinché…)

Congiuntivo passato: the action is prior, in the same contexts.

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

8. Want to go deeper?

Check out the grammar sheet on the use of the congiuntivo presente e passato in the Sillabi grammar resources. There you’ll find a clear summary, extra examples and a handy reference for revising while you study or do exercises.

And there’s more: in an upcoming article, we’ll continue this journey with the use of the congiuntivo imperfetto and the congiuntivo trapassato, to complete your command of the subjunctive tenses. Stay tuned!

9. 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.