We often wonder: When do we use il congiuntivo (the subjunctive) in Italian?
For curiosity's sake, let's have a look at where the subjunctive came from.
The word "subjunctive," as used to denote a grammatical mood, derives directly from the Latin "modus subjunctivus." This, in turn, is a translation from the original Greek term "hypotaktike enklisis" (subordinated mood/mode). In Greek, the subjunctive is almost exclusively used in subordinate clauses (hence the "sub" in subjunctive).
We talk about the subjunctive mood, but "mood" was a variant coming from the original Latin word "modus" (mode), meaning "way" or "manner" (among other things). One way to look at the subjunctive is as a way of using verbs in a subordinate clause.
The earliest known usage of the term "subjunctive" in English dates from the 16th century. Nowadays, this mood or mode is used only sporadically in English. But in Italian, as a language based on Latin, it is used quite a bit. Of course, given that language is in continual evolution, nowadays, people dispense with the subjunctive some of the time, especially in informal speech, as you will discover in watching Yabla videos. Not everyone uses correct grammar all the time.
The sentences below are fairly simple, where the main clause is not much more than just a pronoun (included in the conjugation of the verb) and a verb. And instead of an object, we have a new (subordinate) clause beginning with che (that) or with other conjunctions.
No, guarda, io, a questo punto, penso che abbiano ragione. (verb is avere)
No, look. At this point, I think they are right.
Captions 75-76, Provaci ancora prof! S2E6 La strana ossessione - Part 6
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Lo credo che Marioni ti abbia voluto nell'orchestra. (verb is avere)
I can believe that Marioni wanted you in the orchestra.
Caption 5, La compagnia del cigno S1 EP1 - Part 10
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Mi sembra che il proprietario del chiosco c'entri qualcosa con la morte di Nicola. (verb is entrare)
It seems to me that the owner of the kiosk has something to do with Nicola's death.
Caption 34, Provaci ancora prof! S1E1 - Il regalo di Babbo Natale - Part 21
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E allora dico: "dubito che ci siano ancora biglietti". (verb is essere)
And so I say: “I doubt whether there are still tickets.”
Captions 21-22, Corso di italiano con Daniela Il congiuntivo - Part 10
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I could also say:
Non sono sicura che ci siano ancora biglietti (I am not sure there are still tickets).
Temo che sia un'emergenza. (verb is essere)
I'm afraid it's an emergency.
Caption 24, Provaci ancora prof! S2E4 L'amica americana - Part 19
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ho paura che (I'm afraid that)
Ho paura che, che faccia qualche fesseria, perché... (verb is fare)
I am afraid that, that he will do something stupid, because...
Caption 42, Un medico in famiglia Stagione 3 S3EP4 Lo stagno del ranocchio - Part 3
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Comunque, sono felice che tu abbia scelto così. (verb is avere)
Anyway, I'm glad you made that choice.
Caption 12, Il Commissario Manara S1EP11 - Beato tra le donne - Part 8
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E non voglio che lo sappia. (verb is sapere)
And I don't want her to know.
Caption 65, La compagnia del cigno S1 EP4 - Part 4
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Spero che sia tutto chiaro. (verb is essere)
I hope everything is clear.
Caption 54, Marika spiega Pronomi allocutivi: Tu, Lei, Voi - Part 1
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In this lesson, we have used the first person singular (present tense) in terms of the main verb, and the sentences have been fairly simple, in order to focus on the grammar. In future lessons, we will expand our knowledge of the Italian subjunctive to encompass more complex sentences, as well as situations in which we don't necessarily use the subjunctive.
Thanks for reading. For more lessons about the subjunctive, use the search bar on the lessons tab and search for subjunctive or congiuntivo.
You can write to us at [email protected],
Era ora. If we unpack it, we can see we have the imperfetto (simple past tense) of the verb essere (to be). And then we have ora. It means "hour" or "time" if we put an article in front of it, but it is also an adverb, meaning "now." In the case of the expression, there is no article and so it's not exactly clear which part of speech is meant. It doesn't really matter, because it's an expression that never changes.
Note that in Italian, it's always in the past tense, the imperfetto to be precise. In English, on the other hand, we can say it in the past or the present, or we can leave the verb out altogether. To form this expression in English, we do add the word "about." "It's about time," or "It was about time," or just, "About time!" We might also say, "High time."
Era ora is a great expression and easy to use. There is always an imaginary exclamation point after it. When someone arrives late, it is something to say, but it's a veiled reprimand (meaning, "you're late!"), depending on one's tone and facial expression, so it should be used with care when directed at a person. It can also refer to a situation, such as a delayed train or delivery.
We have hunted through Yabla videos to find some examples you can watch and listen to.
Eccomi qua.
Here I am.
-Ce l'hai fatta. Era ora, Mirò!
-You did it. It was about time, Mirò!
Sono contenta che tu sia tornato giù.
I'm glad you came back down.
Captions 70-73, Gatto Mirò - EP6 Buon compleanno
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Ragazzi, ho portato le birre.
Guys, I've brought the beers.
-Era ora!
-It was about time!
Meno male che qualcuno ha pensato di portare da bere,
Good thing that someone thought of bringing something to drink,
sembrava la festa delle medie! -Ecco qua.
it seemed like a junior high school party. -Here you go.
Captions 9-12, Il Commissario Manara - S1EP12 - Le verità nascoste
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Manara is very late for his dinner at Toscani's house. That's why Toscani says, when he opens the door:
Era ora, eh!
About time, huh!
Che è?
What is it?
Ma che stai a fa' [che fai]?
But what are you doing?
-Con permesso? Permesso?
-Allow me to come in, may I?
Captions 28-31, Il Commissario Manara - S2EP1 - Matrimonio con delitto
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Manara, being Manara, has grabbed the wine off the table, gone back to the door, and come in a second time (saying Permesso), pretending he has brought the bottle.
Here, the police went through all the bags of the bus passengers and it took a while.
Questo è l'ultimo e l'ispezione dei bagagli è finita.
This is the last one, and the inspection of the luggage is complete.
-I ragazzi hanno avuto le loro borse?
-Do the guys all have their bags?
-Tutti andati pure. Prego.
-They've all gone, too. Please.
-Era ora anche, eh.
-It was about time, too, huh.
Captions 47-50, Il Commissario Manara - S2EP9 - L'amica ritrovata
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Eva goes to see her favorite counterfeiter after a long absence.
La ladra più bella del mondo!
The most beautiful thief in the world!
Era ora che te [ti] facevi rivede [rivedere].
It was high time you reappeared.
Sono passati tanti anni!
Many years have passed!
Captions 48-50, La Ladra - EP. 1 - Le cose cambiano
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A friend chastising another for not going out enough.
Che c'è che non va?
What's wrong?
Niente, una storia con un uomo
Nothing, a relationship with a man
che rischia di diventare importante.
that's in danger of becoming important.
-Be', era ora, no?
-Well, it was about time, wasn't it?
Captions 45-47, La Ladra - EP. 8 - Il momento giusto
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A relationship had been hampered by some psychological problems.
Fine dell'Edipo. -Era ora.
My Oedipus complex is over. -About time.
Caption 9, La Ladra - EP. 12 - Come ai vecchi tempi
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Camilla's car has a hard time starting. When the motor finally turns over, era ora (it was about time)!
Forza, dai, dai, dai, ci siamo, ci siamo.
Come on, come on, come on, come on, we're there, we're there.
-Sì, ci siamo. -Ma quanno 'a cambi qua stufa [romanesco: ma quando lo cambi quel rudere]?
-Yes, we made it. -But when are you going to trade in that jalopy?
-Fatto, ecco.
-Done, there we go.
-Era ora. -Sei stato fortissimo.
-About time. -You were great.
Captions 27-30, Provaci ancora prof! - S2EP1 - La finestra sulla scuola
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Era ora is a way of saying "finally!" And sometimes both expressions can be used together.
Be', hanno fatto la pace.
Well, they made up.
Era ora, finalmente.
It was about time, finally.
Captions 68-69, Provaci ancora prof! - S2EP2 Una mina vagante
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Although Era ora works fine on its own, and that is the scope of this lesson, it can also be part of a sentence and will generally be followed by che, in which case we need the subjunctive.
Era ora che mi telefonassi (it was about time you called me).
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