The subjunctive – irregular verbs: Italian grammar lesson 204

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What is present of the subjunctive?

Here we are again with the subjunctive. Before we carry on with irregular verbs, let’s just recap.

We use the present of the subjunctive to talk about hopes, hypotheses, desires, fears, possibilities, and doubts.

We find it mostly after the main clause, and it’s usually preceded by the conjunction che and expressions like a meno che non (unless), affinché (so that), and prima che (before).

the subjunctive irregular verbs

How to use the subjunctive with irregular verbs?

Those verbs that are irregular in the present of the indicative are also irregular in the subjunctive.

You’ll notice again that for io, tu and lui/lei the ending is the same; for noi, the subjunctive looks exactly like the present of the indicative, and the recurrence of the letter i in some cases.

Make sure you pay attention to this because it will help you memorize them.

Let’s start with some irregular verbs!

the italian subjunctive irregular verbs

How to conjugate essere, andare, and avere?

Essere, andare and avere are the most common irregular verbs in Italian. Here’s their conjugation in the present of the subjunctive:

  • Essere: io sia, tu sia, lui/lei sia, noi siamo, voi siate, loro siano.
  • Andare: io vada, tu vada, lui/lei vada, noi andiamo, voi andiate, loro vadano.
  • Avere: io abbia, tu abbia, lui/lei abbia, noi abbiamo, voi abbiate, loro abbiano.

Let’s have a look at some examples:

Mi sembra che voi siate stanchi, volete andare a dormire?

It looks like you’re tired. Do you want to go to sleep?

Spero che Lucia vada dal dottore.

I hope Lucia goes to the doctor.

Non credo che loro abbiano voglia di venire.

I don’t think they want to come.

il congiuntivo verbi irregolari

How to conjugate dare, fare, and stare?

With these verbs, you’ll notice the recurrence of the letter i.

  • Dare: io dia, tu dia, lui/lei dia, noi diamo, voi diate, loro diano.
  • Fare: io faccia, tu faccia, lui/lei faccia, noi facciamo, voi facciate, loro facciano.
  • Stare: io stia, tu stia, lui/lei stia, noi stiamo, voi stiate, loro stiano.

Here are some examples:

Spero che Luca mi dica la verità.

I hope Luca tells me the truth.

Non credo che facciano una festa.

I don’t think they’ll have a party.

È meglio che stiate a casa dato che piove.

It’s better that you stay at home since it’s raining.

essere avere fare dare congiuntivo

How to conjugate dovere and sapere?

These two verbs are quite irregular and have double consonants. The verb dovere has two possible options for io, tu, lui/lei, and loro, so you can choose the one that’s easier for you!

  • Dovere: io debba/deva, tu debba/deva, lui/lei debba/deva, noi dobbiamo, voi dobbiate, loro debbano/devano.
  • Sapere: io sappia, tu sappia, lui/lei sappia, noi sappiamo, voi sappiate, loro sappiano.
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Here are some more examples:

Non penso che lei debba venire.

I don’t think she has to come.

È meglio che lei sappia cosa ci hanno detto.

It’s better that she knows what they told us.

essere avere fare subjunctive

Practice with Quizlet

Here's a set of flashcards and quizzes to practice this grammar topic.

What are other irregular verbs?

Like with regular verbs, to form the present of the subjunctive of the following irregular verbs, you have to keep the root of the verb in the present of the indicative and add the corresponding endings, which are the following:

endings
io a
tu a
lui/lei a
noi iamo
voi iate
loro ano / –iano
  • Bere: io beva, tu beva, lui/lei beva, noi beviamo, voi beviate, loro bevano.
  • Dire: io dica, tu dica, lui/lei dica, noi diciamo, voi diciate, loro dicano.
  • Potere: io possa, tu possa, lui/lei possa, noi possiamo, voi possiate, loro possano.
  • Rimanere: io rimanga, tu rimanga, lui/lei rimanga, noi rimaniamo, voi rimaniate, loro rimangano.
  • Scegliere: io scelga, tu scelga, lui/lei scelga, noi scegliamo, voi scegliate, loro scelgano.
  • Uscire: io esca, tu esca, lui/lei esca, noi usciamo, voi usciate, loro escano.
  • Venire: io venga, tu venga, lui/lei venga, noi veniamo, voi veniate, loro vengano.
  • Volere: io voglia, tu voglia, lui/lei voglia, noi vogliamo, voi vogliate, loro vogliano.

Let’s have a look at some examples:

Spero che lei possa andare in vacanza.

I hope she can go on holiday.

Non credo che loro escano stasera.

I don’t think they’re going out tonight.

Adriano pensa che voi non vogliate venire.

Adriano thinks that you don’t want to come.

the present of the subjunctive irregular verbs

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