“Nonostante” in Italian
Nonostante is an Italian conjunction that corresponds to the English “despite” or “even though”. In Italian, it is often followed by the subjunctive mood to express uncertainty, doubt, or a situation that is contrary to expectations.
When nonostante introduces a clause with a subjunctive verb, it emphasizes the contrast between a hypothetical or uncertain condition and the reality of the situation.
The use of the subjunctive conveys that the action in the subordinate clause may not be guaranteed or may differ from the expected outcome. For example:
Nonostante faccia freddo, escono senza giacca.
Even though it’s cold, they go out without a jacket.
This use of the subjunctive highlights the unexpectedness of them going out without a jacket, given the premise of the weather being cold.
The Subjunctive Mood in Italian
The subjunctive mood in Italian, known as congiuntivo, is commonly used in subordinate sentences to express a doubt, a desire, a necessity, a possibility, a hypothesis etc.
There are four types of subjunctive in Italian:
- Congiuntivo presente (present subjunctive)
- Congiuntivo passato (past subjunctive)
- Congiuntivo imperfetto (imperfect subjunctive)
- Congiuntivo trapassato (past perfect subjunctive)
The Italian nonostante can be followed by any of these four tenses, of course conveying different temporal meanings. Below, I will provide you with a breakdown of its key uses.
Nonostante + Subjunctive
Nonostante + Congiuntivo Presente
The present subjunctive is used when the action in the subordinate clause is happening at the same time as the main clause or is projected into the near future.
When nonostante is followed by the present subjunctive, it highlights an ongoing or current condition that contrasts with what would normally be expected.
Nonostante sia stanco, Marco continua a lavorare.
Even though he is tired, Marco keeps working.
Nonostante piova, usciremo.
Even though it’s raining, we will go out.
Nonostante + Congiuntivo Passato
The past subjunctive is used when the action of the subordinate clause has already been completed, but its relevance or outcome still affects the present.
When nonostante is followed by the past subjunctive, it expresses that a past action contrasts with the present situation or expectation.
Nonostante abbia studiato molto, non ha superato l’esame.
Even though he studied a lot, he didn’t pass the exam.
Nonostante abbia piovuto tutta la settimana, la terra è asciutta.
Even though it rained all week, the ground is dry.
The two actions introduced by nonostante happened in the past, but the unexpected results are current.
Nonostante + Congiuntivo Imperfetto
The imperfect subjunctive is used to refer to actions or situations that were ongoing or habitual in the past.
When nonostante is followed by the imperfect subjunctive, it refers to a past situation that contrasts with another past action or expectation.
Nonostante fosse malato, è andato a lavorare.
Even though he was sick, he went to work.
Nonostante avessi poco tempo, ho finito il progetto.
Even though I had little time, I finished the project.
The two verbs in the imperfect subjunctive describe ongoing past conditions which contrasts with the actual outcomes that were still occurring in that moment in the past.
Nonostante + Congiuntivo Trapassato
The past perfect subjunctive is used to refer to an action that happened before another past action, indicating that something took place further in the past.
When nonostante is followed by the past perfect subjunctive, it emphasizes the contradictory nature of two events in the past, with the first event being more remote in time than the second.
Nonostante avesse piovuto tutta la notte, il giorno dopo uscimmo per fare una passeggiata.
Even though it had rained all night, the next day we went for a walk.
Nonostante avessero litigato, si sono parlati di nuovo.
Even though they had argued, they spoke to each other again.
The verbs in the past perfect subjunctive refer to actions that were completed before the actions expressed in the main clause.
