Prima che + subjunctive: Italian grammar lesson 212

Q: How do you use 'prima' in Italian?

The Italian word 'prima' translates to before in English. It can be used in conjunction with either the preposition 'che' or any form of the preposition 'di' (e.g. del, dello, della, dei, degli, delle).

Q: Does 'prima che' take subjunctive?

It is important to note that the temporal conjunction 'prima che' is always accompanied by the subjunctive mood in any tense, be it present, future, or past. The subjunctive mood is used to express actions that may or may not happen, such as wishes, hopes, demands, or doubt.

Stefano

Italian language tutor, course author. MEng, MBA. Member of the International Association of Hyperpolyglots (HYPIA). After learning 12 languages, I can tell you that we all master languages by listening and mimicking. I couldn’t find an app to recommend to my students, so I made my own one. With my method, you’ll be speaking Italian from Lesson 1.

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Prima che or prima di?

How to use prima che + subjunctive?

Do other conjunctions require the subjunctive?

Summary

Unlock the secrets of Italian grammar with our guide on “prima che” vs “prima di”! Learn when to use the infinitive or the subjunctive to master the art of saying “before” like a true Italian. 🇮🇹✨

Infinitive vs Subjunctive: Use prima di with an infinitive for actions (e.g., prima di uscire – before going out), but switch to prima che plus subjunctive for statements (e.g., prima che tu esca – before you go out).
Temporal Conjunction: Remember, prima che is a temporal conjunction showing anteriority. It’s your go-to when combining sentences where one action precedes another.
Subjunctive Mood: Always follow prima che with the subjunctive mood, whether it’s present, imperfect, or past. It’s non-negotiable in Italian grammar!
Present Subjunctive: Use the present subjunctive for current or future actions that haven’t happened yet (e.g., prima che inizi – before it starts).
Past Subjunctive: When referring to actions that could have happened earlier, use the past subjunctive (e.g., prima che uscissi – before you left).
Other Conjunctions: Don’t forget, prima che isn’t alone. Other conjunctions like a meno che, sebbene, and nel caso che also demand the subjunctive.

My thoughts

Prima che or prima di?

First of all, we must differentiate between prima di and prima che, which in English can both be translated as before.

Prima di takes the infinitive, which is the basic form of the verb, while prima che takes the subjunctive:

Prima di + infinitive

Mettiti la giacca prima di uscire.

Put your jacket on before going out.

Voglio mangiare prima di andare al cinema.

I want to eat before going to the cinema.

Prima che + subjunctive

Prima che tu esca ti devo dire una cosa.

Quick facts

Before you go out, I need to tell you something.

Mangiamo prima che faccia buio.

Let’s eat before it gets dark.

How to use prima che + subjunctive?

Prima che is a temporal conjunction (congiunzione temporale), which indicates anteriority.

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This means that it can be used to combine two sentences in which the action or occurrence described in one sentence happens before the action or occurrence described in the other.

The temporal conjunction prima che is always followed by the subjunctive mood, whether in the present, imperfect or past.

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Have a look at the examples below.

Present:

Spero di arrivare prima che inizi a piovere.

I hope to arrive before it starts raining.

Cuciniamo prima che arrivino i miei, no?

Let’s cook before my parents arrive, shall we?

Past:

Ci sarebbe piaciuto arrivare prima che uscissi.

We would have liked to get here before you left.

Sandra voleva partire prima che facesse buio.

Sandra wanted to leave before it got dark.

Do other conjunctions require the subjunctive?

Prima che is not the only Italian conjunction that requires the congiuntivo.

Here are some other common ones, with examples, so that you can learn to recognize them!

A meno che (unless)

Non fidarti del suo parere, a meno che non sia un medico.

Do not trust his opinion unless he is a doctor.

Sebbene (although)

Sebbene avesse più di cinquant’anni, vinse la gara.

Although she was over 50, she won the competition.

Nel caso (che) (In case)

Nel caso (che) tu non abbia voglia di cucinare, ho preparato una zuppa.

In case you don’t feel like cooking, I prepared a soup.

FAQs

How do you use "prima" in Italian?

The Italian word "prima" translates to before in English. It can be used in conjunction with either the preposition "che" or any form of the preposition "di" (e.g. del, dello, della, dei, degli, delle).

Does "prima che" take subjunctive?

It is important to note that the temporal conjunction "prima che" is always accompanied by the subjunctive mood in any tense, be it present, future, or past. The subjunctive mood is used to express actions that may or may not happen, such as wishes, hopes, demands, or doubt.

Italian word of the day

lavori

Example

Dove lavori? Lavoro in ufficio.

Where do you work? I work in an office.

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Comments

2 Responses

Stefano says:

03/02/2021 at 11:05 AM

Tranquilla, anche gli italiani sbagliano il congiuntivo. 😉

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Suzanne says:

03/01/2021 at 8:27 PM

Hi, Sefano,
Ho trovato questa lezione sulle congiunzioni/congiuntivo che mi sembre difficile da padroneggiare.
Ho bisogno di tonnellato di pratica. Mi dispiace per gli errori.

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