The subjunctive mood

The subjunctive mood:

Italian subjunctive mood includes 4 tenses. It is generally used in subordinate clauses (after the “che”), when we do not speak about real facts (see indicative mood), but we express personal opinion, personal wishes, personal willingness or orders; in sentences with impersonal construction (always with “che“); but also conditional clauses (see), in purpose or concession clauses; in sentences after “prima che”; etc.

The subjunctive is very important because if you use it the Italians will think you are very educated and polite.  A lot of Italians have some difficulty using it correctly, so … don’t you worry if you can’t be perfect

Now I write for you some example:

Penso che sia un bel film = I think it is a beautiful film (personal opinion)
but
E’ sicuramente un bel film = It is surely a beautiful film

Spero che lui/lei mi telefoni = I hope he/she will phone me (personal wish)
Speravo che mi telefonasse = I hope he/she would phone me
and
Vorrei che tu fossi qui = I wish you were here
but
He/she always phones me
He/she is here

Voglio che tu venga qui = I want you come here (order)
Volevo che tu venissi qui = I wanted you to come here (personal willingness)
but
You always come here.

And also

E’ bello che Paolo venga qui = It is wonderful that Paolo come here (impersonal)
E’ ora che Paolo vada a lavorare = It is time Paolo went to work

Se fossi in te … = If I were you … (conditional clause)
Se avessi una Ferrari … = If I had a Ferrari …

Viene nonostante sia stanco = He/she will come in spite of the fact that he/she is tired (concession)
(nonostante, sebbene or benché + subjunctive)

Affinché la nostra storia continui, dobbiamo parlare = In order for our relationship to continue, we need to talk (purpose)

And
Prima che sia troppo tardi … = before it is too late (with “Prima che”)

If you need to develop your skills in listening, improve your vocabulary and comprehension for reading (the subjunctive), watch and listen to these videos (and read the lyrics)!
Have fun and Practice your Italian every day!

Here are the conjugations:

Presente

Passato

Imperfetto

Trapassato