Italian grammar · Intermediate (B1)
If-clauses: se + present, se + congiuntivo imperfetto
How to say “if” in Italian: real conditions with the present, imaginary ones with the congiuntivo imperfetto, and a first look at the hypothetical past.
Real conditions: se + present
For something that can really happen, use + the present. The other part can be in the present, the future or the imperative: (If it rains, I'll stay at home), (If you have time, call me).
In everyday speech, the present is common in both parts, even about the future. You may also hear the future after : (If you come, I'll introduce you to my sister).
- Se vuole, la mandiamo in riparazione.If you like, we'll send it for repair.
- Se non funziona, la cambieremo.If it doesn't work, we'll exchange it.
The congiuntivo imperfetto
Imaginary conditions need the . Take the form of the imperfetto, drop -vo and add -ssi, -ssi, -sse, -ssimo, -ste, -ssero: → , → , → . Only (), () and () are irregular.
| Person | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| / | ||||
Imaginary conditions: se + congiuntivo imperfetto
For something imaginary, unlikely or impossible now, use + congiuntivo imperfetto, and the condizionale presente in the other part: (If I had more time, I'd do some exercise).
means “If I were you”. Never put the conditional after : say , not se potrei.
- Se fossi in te, andrei dal medico.If I were you, I'd go to the doctor.
- Se abitassimo al mare, andremmo in spiaggia ogni giorno.If we lived by the sea, we'd go to the beach every day.
The hypothetical past
To imagine a different past, use + or + the participle, and the condizionale passato: (If I'd known, I wouldn't have come). This is harder, and at B1 it's enough to recognise it.
| Type | … | Other part | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| real | present | present, future, imperative | |
| imaginary | congiuntivo imperfetto | condizionale presente | |
| past | / + participle | condizionale passato |
Mixed conditions and the spoken shortcut
The two halves of a sentence can refer to different times. A past condition can have a result now: (If I'd taken that job, I'd be living in Rome now). A condition that is still true now can have a result in the past: (If I were braver, I'd have accepted).
In relaxed speech, many Italians use the imperfetto in both halves of an unreal past condition: (If I'd known, I'd have come). It's very common, but in writing use .
- Se avessero pulito i fossi, oggi non avremmo paura.If they'd cleaned the ditches, we wouldn't be afraid today.
- Se avessi vent'anni di meno, sarei andato all'incontro.If I were twenty years younger, I'd have gone to the meeting.