Language/Italian/Grammar/Simple-Past-Subjunctive

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◀️ Imperative Form — Previous Lesson	Next Lesson — Conditional Subjunctive ▶️

Italian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Simple Past Subjunctive

In the previous lesson, we learned about the Imperative Form in Italian and how to form and use it in different contexts. Now, we will dive into the world of the Simple Past Subjunctive mood. The Simple Past Subjunctive is used to express actions or states that are uncertain, hypothetical, or contrary to reality in the past. It is an essential part of mastering Italian grammar, as it allows us to convey a wide range of meanings and express our thoughts and emotions with precision.

To navigate through this lesson more easily, use the table of contents below:

What is the Simple Past Subjunctive?[edit | edit source]

The Simple Past Subjunctive, also known as the "passato remoto" or "preterito congiuntivo," is a verb form used in Italian to express actions or states that are uncertain, hypothetical, or contrary to reality in the past. It is often used in subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions such as "se" (if), "benché" (although), or "nonostante che" (despite).

How to Form the Simple Past Subjunctive[edit | edit source]

To form the Simple Past Subjunctive, we need to consider the stem and endings of the verb. The stem is obtained by removing the final "-re" from the infinitive form of the verb. Let's take a look at the conjugation of regular "-are," "-ere," and "-ire" verbs in the Simple Past Subjunctive:

Regular "-are" Verbs[edit | edit source]

Here is the conjugation of the verb "parlare" (to speak) in the Simple Past Subjunctive:

io parlassi
tu parlassi
lui/lei parlasse
noi parlassimo
voi parlaste
loro parlassero

Regular "-ere" Verbs[edit | edit source]

Here is the conjugation of the verb "prendere" (to take) in the Simple Past Subjunctive:

io prendessi
tu prendessi
lui/lei prendesse
noi prendessimo
voi prendeste
loro prendessero

Regular "-ire" Verbs[edit | edit source]

Here is the conjugation of the verb "dormire" (to sleep) in the Simple Past Subjunctive:

io dormissi
tu dormissi
lui/lei dormisse
noi dormissimo
voi dormiste
loro dormissero

It's important to note that the Simple Past Subjunctive is a compound tense, meaning it requires the use of auxiliary verbs to form its conjugation. The auxiliary verbs used are "essere" (to be) and "avere" (to have). The choice of auxiliary verb depends on the main verb in the sentence. We will explore this further in the following sections.

Irregular Verbs in the Simple Past Subjunctive[edit | edit source]

As with other verb tenses and moods in Italian, there are irregular verbs in the Simple Past Subjunctive as well. These verbs do not follow the regular conjugation patterns and must be memorized. Here are some common irregular verbs in the Simple Past Subjunctive:

andare (to go): andassi, andassi, andasse, andassimo, andaste, andassero
essere (to be): fossi, fossi, fosse, fossimo, foste, fossero
fare (to do/make): facessi, facessi, facesse, facessimo, faceste, facessero
dare (to give): dessi, dessi, desse, dessimo, deste, dessero
stare (to stay): stessi, stessi, stesse, stessimo, steste, stessero

It's essential to practice and familiarize yourself with the conjugation of these irregular verbs to use them correctly in the Simple Past Subjunctive.

How to Use the Simple Past Subjunctive[edit | edit source]

The Simple Past Subjunctive is used in various situations and contexts. Let's explore some of the most common uses of this mood:

Expressing Doubt or Uncertainty[edit | edit source]

The Simple Past Subjunctive is often used to express doubt, uncertainty, or hypothetical situations in the past. It allows us to convey ideas that may or may not have happened. For example:

Speravo che tu mi chiamassi. (I hoped you would call me.)
Dubitavo che lui venisse alla festa. (I doubted he would come to the party.)

In these examples, the Simple Past Subjunctive is used after verbs like "sperare" (to hope) and "dubitare" (to doubt) to express uncertainty about the actions described.

Expressing Contrary-to-Fact Conditions[edit | edit source]

The Simple Past Subjunctive is also used to express contrary-to-fact conditions or hypothetical situations that did not occur in the past. It allows us to talk about things that could have happened, but didn't. For example:

Se avessi vinto la lotteria, avrei comprato una casa al mare. (If I had won the lottery, I would have bought a house by the sea.)
Nonostante che avessero studiato tanto, non passarono l'esame. (Despite having studied so much, they didn't pass the exam.)

In these examples, the Simple Past Subjunctive is used after the conjunctions "se" (if) and "nonostante che" (despite) to express hypothetical or contrary-to-fact conditions.

Reporting Speech or Thoughts[edit | edit source]

The Simple Past Subjunctive is used to report speech or thoughts in the past. When we talk about what someone said or thought in the past, we use the Simple Past Subjunctive to indicate that it is not a direct quote but rather a reported statement or thought. For example:

Mi ha detto che avesse già mangiato. (He told me he had already eaten.)
Pensavo che tu fossi arrabbiato. (I thought you were angry.)

In these examples, the Simple Past Subjunctive is used after verbs like "dire" (to say) and "pensare" (to think) to report someone's speech or thoughts in the past.

Expressing Wishes or Desires[edit | edit source]

The Simple Past Subjunctive is also used to express wishes or desires in the past. It allows us to talk about things we wanted to happen but didn't. For example:

Volevo che tu mi chiamassi. (I wanted you to call me.)
Speravo che facesse bel tempo. (I hoped for good weather.)

In these examples, the Simple Past Subjunctive is used after verbs like "volere" (to want) and "sperare" (to hope) to express desires or wishes that were not fulfilled in the past.

Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now that we have learned about the formation and usage of the Simple Past Subjunctive, let's put our knowledge into practice with some exercises. Please complete the following sentences by conjugating the verbs in the Simple Past Subjunctive:

1. Volevo che lei _________ (venire) alla festa con me. 2. Dubitavo che loro _________ (capire) la situazione. 3. Se avessimo avuto più soldi, _________ (comprare) una macchina nuova. 4. Pensavo che voi _________ (giocare) a tennis ieri. 5. Speravo che tu _________ (imparare) l'italiano velocemente.

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Congratulations! You have successfully learned about the Simple Past Subjunctive in Italian. This mood is a powerful tool for expressing uncertainty, hypothetical situations, and contrary-to-fact conditions in the past. By mastering the formation and usage of the Simple Past Subjunctive, you can convey a wide range of meanings and enhance your Italian language skills.

In the next lesson, we will explore the Conditional Subjunctive, another important mood in Italian grammar. Stay tuned and keep up the great work!

Table of Contents - Italian Course - 0 to A1[edit source]

Course Presentation

Introduction to Italian Language

Daily Life Expressions

Italian Culture and Tradition

Past and Future Tenses

Social and Work Life

Italian Literature and Cinema

Subjunctive and Imperative Moods

Science and Technology

Italian Politics and Society

Compound Tenses

Arts and Design

Italian Language and Dialects

Sources[edit | edit source]

Other Lessons[edit | edit source]

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