Lorenzo Baglioni, a Tuscan pop star, sings a tune on il congiuntivo (the subjunctive). He remarks that the subjunctive is particularly useful for lovers. Note that the Italian subjunctive, out of context, can have various different solutions in English, and sometimes doesn't correspond at all.

The previous lesson ended with the verb essere (to be) plus adjectives. Now, Daniela goes on to tell us about the verb essere plus adverbs and then teaches us about a great shortcut for avoiding the subjunctive when using the word basta [it's enough, just]. Normally, basta signals the need for the subjunctive, but Daniela offers up some examples where the infinitive verb works best.

Marika begins a five-part series on the five different types of adverbs in Italian. Location adverbs, which would be termed more “prepositions” in English, are the focus of this segment. In Italian, the difference between adverbs, prepositions and conjunctions is often blurry.

Daniela works on the expressions where the verb essere [to be] is followed the subjunctive in the subordinate clause. The expressions include: È una fortuna [It's a bit of luck] and È un peccato [It's a shame].

Daniela talks about a special case scenario in which a verb in the infinitive may replace the subjunctive form in the subordinate clause. Learning this rule can make using certain verbs easier. She goes on to talk about impersonal forms of verbs where we need the subjunctive. This scenario is quite different from English, so we need to pay close attention.

Marika wraps up her lessons on combined pronouns in which ci acts as a stand in for places.

Daniela focuses on verbs and expressions that express uncertainty or doubt, and require the use of the subjunctive.

Marika covers these super tricky combined pronouns: glielo, gliela, glieli, gliene, and gliele.

Daniela continues with verbs that require the present subjunctive, calling attention to the all-important verb sperare [to hope].

Marika, in response to Yabla user requests, begins her 3-part lesson on those pesky little words (Me plus lo, la, li, le, and ne, together with Ti plus lo, la, li, le, and ne), otherwise known as combined pronouns or double pronouns.

Daniela highlights two verbs that do not call for the present subjunctive—the verbs vedere [to see] and sentire [to sense, to hear, to feel].

Daniela provides a nice long list of the so-called perception verbs and expressions that always precede the present subjunctive.

Daniela provides a list of verbs that always come before the subjunctive mood verbs. We'll see, however, that English doesn't follow the same rules.

Marika features the verb mancare [to miss] and provides numerous expressions using the verb.

Daniela covers the present subjunctive of these three verbs: rimanere [to remain, to stay], venire [to come], and dire [to say].