What are “if Clauses”?
“If clauses”, called in Italian periodo ipotetico, are sentences that express scenarios where the outcome depends on the condition specified by se (if). Se is an Italian conjunction that is used to introduce these types of conditional clauses and means “if” or “whether”.
Here are a few examples of how se is used in Italian:
Se piove, non usciremo.
If it rains, we won’t go out.
Se avessi tempo, leggerei un libro.
If I had time, I would read a book.
Voglio sapere se mi chiamerai oggi.
I want to know whether you will call me today.
In Italian, there are three different types of if-clauses:
- Type 1 – reality
Se mi inviti al tu0 compleanno, vengo con piacere.
If you invite me to your birthday, I’ll be happy to come.
- Type 2 – possibility
Se fossi meno stanco, uscirei con voi.
If I were less tired, I would go out with you.
- Type 3 – impossibility
Se fossi stato chiaro, avrei capito meglio.
If you had been clear, I would have understood better.
In this article, I will discuss the second type only.
Italian “if Clause” – Type 1
Use
As I mentioned before, the Italian periodo ipotetico type 1 is the one about reality. It is used to to talk about something that’s happening in the present or something that will surely or very likely happen soon.
There are four different combinations of first type if-clauses in Italian:
1. Se + present indicative + present indicative
Se non capisci, te lo spiego.
If you don’t understand, I will explain it to you.
2. Se + present indicative + future indicative
Se non studio, non passerò l’esame.
If I don’t study, I won’t pass the exam.
3. Se + future indicative + future indicative
Se non verrà, non le parlerò piu.
If she doesn’t come, I won’t speak to her again.
4. Se + present indicative + imperative
Se vai al supermercato, comprami la pasta.
If you go to the supermarket, buy me some pasta.
We use this type of if-clause to express realistic hypotheses, something that is surely happening or will surely happen. It is the type of reality because it is sure that something will happen in the future if a certain condition is met.
Structure
To use this expression, we can use different combinations of verb tenses.
In almost all cases, we have presente indicativo (present indicative) in the depending clause introduced by se, namely the one that expresses the condition we need in order for something to occur.
In the main clause, to express what would happen if a certain condition were met, we can find:
- the presente indicativo
Se riesco, vengo a trovarti.
If I can, I’ll come to see you.
- the futuro indicativo (future indicative)
Se riesco, verrò a trovarti.
If I can, I’ll come to see you.
- the imperativo (imperative)
Se riesci, vieni a trovarmi.
If you can, come see me.
In one cases, we can have futuro indicativo (future indicative) both in the depending clause introduced by se to express the condition we need in order for something to occur, and in the the main clause, to express what would happen if a certain condition were met.
Se riuscirò, verrò a trovarti.
If I’ll manage, I’ll come see you.
However, the order is not fixed, which means that the depending clause starting with se can be found both at the beginning and at the end of the sentence:
Verrò a trovarti, se riuscirò.
I will come to see you, if I’ll manage.
Vieni a trovarmi, se riesci.
Come see me, if you can.
Se: Another Use
Se is often used together with no resulting in the unique form sennò, which can be translated into “otherwise”. A synonym of sennò in Italian is altrimenti.
Prendi appunti, sennò/altrimenti ti dimentichi!
Take notes, otherwise you will forget!
