#130: Conjunctions that require the subjunctive
A conjunction is a word that connects sentences, phrases and clauses. The following conjunctions are followed by the subjunctive:
- affinché | so that
- perché (when used with un valore finale) | so that
- a meno che…non | unless
- prima che | before
- senza che | without
- benché | although
- sebbene | although
- a condizione che | provided that
- purché | provided that
- come se | as if
With this expression, only the congiuntivo imperfetto or congiuntivo trapassato can be used
Prima che, senza che, and perché or affinché only take the subjunctive when the subjects of the two clauses are different. When they are the same use prima di + infinitive , senza + infinitive, or per + infinitive. Consult the following examples:
Vado al supermercato prima che tu parta.
I am going to the store before you leave.
Vado al supermercato prima di partire.
I am going to the store before I leave.
Scrivo l’articolo perché il pubblico capisca i problemi del governo.
I am writing the article so that the public understand the problems of the government.
Scrivo l’articolo per poter comunicare al pubblico.
I am writing the article so that I can communicate to the public.
Facebook
RSS
Twitter
Email
Does “Come se” (as if) also require the Subjunctive? Are there more conjunction that require it too?
Come se requires the subjunctive, but only the imperfect subjunctive or the pluperfect subjunctive can follow it. I updated the post above to reflect this.
Keith, I just encountered a bunch of conjunctions last month that’s why I asked you about this, and until now I am certain of their use. Ok correct me if I’m wrong if the ff. conjunction requires subjunctive:
- a patto che
- malgrado
- quantunque
- qualunque cosa
- dovunque
- ovunque
- nel caso che
- nonostante
- cossiche
- in modo che
I’m not really sure, these are not complete… there might be more…
All of the conjunctions you listed take the subjunctive.
I might suggest that you read this book: “Viva il congiuntivo” by Valeria Della Valle. It is in Italian, but she has easy to follow explanations and lists that might be helpful in learning how/when to use the subjunctive.
[...] Perché is a conjunction that can have two functions in Italian grammar: un valore causale: this corresponds to the English, because, and is followed by the indicative [...]