Verbs: Subjunctive Present
Vogliamo che tu ci provi
In Italian, after a few words related to opinions, feelings, preferences, or desires, you will need to use verbs in a special form called the subjunctive (or congiuntivo in Italian).
Preferisco che lui mi parli di giochi.
I prefer that he speaks to me about games.
Between the first verb and the subjunctive, you can optionally use che.
Non credo (che) lui venga con noi.
I do not believe (that) he is coming with us.
Voglio (che) tu mi dica la verità.
I want you to tell me the truth.
To create the subjunctive, start from the io form of a verb and replace the final ‑o with the following endings.
trovi
(I) find | beva
(I) drink |
trovi
(you) find | beva
(you) drink |
trovi
(he / she) finds | beva
(he / she) drinks |
troviamo
(we) find | beviamo
(we) drink |
troviate
(you all) find | beviate
(you all) drink |
trovino
(they) find | bevano
(they) drink |
‑are verbs always include an i in the subjunctive, while ‑ere and ‑ire verbs contain an a.
Crediamo che lei abbia la risposta
The verbs essere and avere are always extra special, and the subjunctive (or congiuntivo in Italian) forms aren't any different. Let's have a look at them!
sia
(I) am | abbia
(I) have |
sia
(you) are | abbia
(you) have |
sia
(he / she) is | abbia
(he / she) has |
siamo
(we) are | abbiamo
(we) have |
siate
(you all) are | abbiate
(you all) have |
siano
(they) are | abbiano
(they) have |
Did you notice? The io, tu, lui , and lei forms are always the same in the subjunctive.
Credo che lui sia felice.
I believe that he is happy.
Io credo che lei abbia molti amici.
I believe she has many friends.
Voglio che tu stia qui con me
Of course, there are a few other verbs that have special subjunctive (or congiuntivo in Italian) forms. These are the most common ones.
stare | stia, stiamo, stiate, stiano |
sapere | sappia, sappiamo, sappiate, sappiano |
dare | dia, diamo, diate, diano |
Voglio che tu stia qui con lei.
I want you to be here with her.
Non penso che lei sappia parlare francese.
I do not think that she knows how to speak French.
Spero che lui mi dia un'altra opportunità.
I hope he gives me another opportunity.
Spero che la nonna stia bene.
I hope grandma is well.