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 the original Latin word was "modus," 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. But the use of mood helps us remember that verbs of uncertainty, which are subjective call for the subjunctive.
The earliest known usage of the term "subjunctive" in English dates from the 16th century. Nowadays, this mood 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 we don't have a main clause that is 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.
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.
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.
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".
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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 about the subjunctive, use the search bar on the lessons tab and search for subjunctive or congiuntivo.
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