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. 

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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.

It's common in Italian to find words beginning with a (usually meaning "to" or "towards") followed by a double consonant. Often, these words stem from other root words. Before becoming one word, there were two. When two verbs become one (univerbiazione), the initial consonant of the second word likely gets doubled—for example, the double m in ammettere (to admit). The verb ammettere contains the verb mettere (to put) and the preposition a (to, at). See this lesson about ammettere. 

Però devi ammettere che ha agito a fin di bene.

But you have to admit that his actions were for a good cause.

Caption 8, Sposami EP 4 - Part 13

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Accanto (beside). Canto (the noun we see within accanto), besides having to do with song and singing, also means "corner" or "border." Accanto can be both a preposition and an adverb, depending on how it's used. When it's a preposition we find it in the "normal" word order (after the verb and before the indirect object), and it might also have an additional preposition following it, in this case, a (to, at).

Come puoi continuare a vivere accanto a quell'uomo così cattivo?

How can you continue to live at the side of such an evil man?

Caption 31, Provaci ancora prof! S2E5 Vita da cani - Part 16

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But when it's used as an adverb, it can follow both the verb and the object. 

Lo segui, gli stai accanto.

You guide him, you're at his side.

Caption 25, La compagnia del cigno EP4 - Part 4

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It's useful to be aware of this phenomenon of adding a to the beginning of a word. It's used when turning a noun into a verb, for example. This helps us both to understand the verb and to figure out the noun. We can also try inventing a verb from a noun and it might just be right! 

Affrettare (to rush). This verb was made out of the noun la fretta (the hurry). 

Ma non ti sembra un po' affrettato? -Affrettato?

But doesn't it seem a bit rushed to you? -Rushed?

Captions 10-11, Stai lontana da me Rai Cinema - Part 17

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Appresso (near to)

We discuss the preposition appresso in contrast to presso in this lesson. 

E Brunella, una compagna della nuova classe che si porta sempre appresso il fratellino di sei anni.

And Brunella, a friend from his new class who always takes her six-year-old little brother with her.

Captions 5-6, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore S1 EP5 Rione Serra Venerdì - Part 15

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Addosso (on)

And we talk about addosso in this lesson. 

Abbiamo la stampa addosso...

We have the press on our backs...

Caption 92, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone S1EP4 Gelo - Part 10

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Io questo ciondolo l'ho visto addosso a qualcuno.

I've seen this pendant on someone.

Caption 30, Il Commissario Manara S1EP3 - Rapsodia in Blu - Part 14

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Here again, we've seen addosso (like accanto) as both a preposition and as an adverb. It is not important to know which part of speech it is; it's just important to know how to use the words and to understand them.

Allora is discussed in this popular lesson.

Allora is one of the most popular words in the Italian language. It has various nuances and is commonly used as filler. 

Allora, tu ti chiami Chiara, vero?

So, your name is Chiara, right?

Caption 46, Liberi tutti EP7 Quanto vale una pera al Milanetto? - Part 6

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But allora can also mean "at that time." You can see the word ora (time, hour) within allora. 

E da allora, non ho più avuto problemi con la giustizia.

And since then, I haven't had any problems with the law.

Caption 16, Provaci ancora prof! S2E4 L'amica americana - Part 26

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Aggirare (to skirt, to circumvent). Here, the verb aggirare seems like a shortcut to replace girare intorno. 

Siamo diventati un paese dove siamo esperti nell'arte di aggirare gli ostacoli.

We've become a country where we're experts in the art of skirting obstacles.

Caption 31, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore S1 EP1 L'estate del dito - Part 18

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Addetto (in charge) 

Here we can discern the past participle — detto — of the verb dire (to say, to tell). So, someone has been told to take care of something. 

Si chiamava Sandro Stefani, quarantacinque anni, lavorava qui, era addetto alla fermentazione del vino.

His name was Sandro Stefani, forty-five years old, he worked here. He was in charge of wine fermentation.

Captions 41-42, Il Commissario Manara S2EP8 - Fuori servizio - Part 1

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We've only touched on some of the Italian words that fall into this loosely-fashioned category. The words are kind of fun to discover and take apart. Please write to us about any similar words you come across in your Italian studies. And... thanks for reading. 

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