Italian Subjunctive: the Mistakes Even Italians Make
Even Italians get the congiuntivo wrong. The most common mistakes with real sentences, the correct form, and what to learn first if you study Italian.
The subjunctive (congiuntivo) is one of the verb moods that gives Italian learners the most trouble, and native speakers make mistakes with it too! For example, you often hear Se avrei saputo instead of Se avessi saputo, or Penso che è giusto instead of Penso che sia giusto. To start using it, the most common verbs are enough, such as sia, abbia, vada, venga, faccia and possa, along with useful structures like Se avessi più tempo, viaggerei di più (If I had more time, I would travel more). In this article we look at when to use the subjunctive, which mistakes to avoid and how to recognise it in everyday conversation.
Why I wrote this article
My students tell me all the time: "the subjunctive is too hard". Then they leave the lesson, listen to Italians talking, and hear mistakes there too.
The other day it happened to me. I was watching a live stream on YouTube and an Italian YouTuber said something like this: "Se mi sarebbero piaciuti, li avrei presi." (If I would have liked them, I would have taken them.)
If you've studied some grammar, you can already see the mistake. If you can't, that's normal, and we'll look at it together in a moment.
This article collects the subjunctive mistakes I hear most often, with the correct form next to each one. It does two things: it makes you feel less alone, and it tells you where to start.
Do Italians really get the subjunctive wrong?
Yes. On TV, in videos, in chats and at the bar. The subjunctive (congiuntivo) is a verb mood that spoken Italian uses less and less, because the indicative is quicker and people almost always understand each other anyway.
The YouTuber's sentence has the most recognisable mistake of all:
- You hear: Se mi sarebbero piaciuti, li avrei presi. → it should be: Se mi fossero piaciuti, li avrei presi.
After "se" introducing something that didn't happen, correct Italian wants the subjunctive. "Sarebbero piaciuti" is a conditional, which belongs in the other half of the sentence ("li avrei presi").
Se plus conditional: the most famous mistake
So many people search Google for "se avrei o se avessi" that the doubt is clearly everywhere. The rule is just one:
- Se + subjunctive, then conditional.
- In the past: Se avessi saputo, sarei venuto. (If I had known, I would have come.)
- In the present: Se avessi più tempo, studierei di più. (If I had more time, I would study more.)
The typical mistakes:
- You hear: Se avrei saputo, venivo. → it should be: Se avessi saputo, sarei venuto.
- You hear: Se potrei, lo farei. → it should be: Se potessi, lo farei.
- You hear: Se sarei in te, non andrei. → it should be: Se fossi in te, non andrei.
A useful tip: when you hear "se" followed by "avrei" or "sarei", there is almost always a mistake.
Penso che, credo che, spero che: the indicative instead of the subjunctive
Here things are softer. In everyday speech many Italians say:
- Penso che hai ragione. instead of Penso che tu abbia ragione. (I think you're right.)
- Credo che è meglio così. instead of Credo che sia meglio così. (I think it's better this way.)
- Spero che vieni. instead of Spero che tu venga. (I hope you come.)
In a chat among friends these often go by without anyone noticing. In writing, at a job interview or in an exam, the subjunctive is still the right form. If you're preparing for a certification such as CILS or CELI, write these sentences with the subjunctive.
Other mistakes I hear often
- Bisogna che vai. It should be: Bisogna che tu vada. (You need to go.)
- Sebbene è tardi, resto. It should be: Sebbene sia tardi, resto. (Although it's late, I'll stay.)
- Vorrei che mi dai una mano. It should be: Vorrei che mi dessi una mano. (I'd like you to give me a hand.)
- Non so se viene. This one is fine! After "non so se" the indicative is correct and common.
The last case is the opposite of the others, and it's worth remembering. Some sentences look like they need the subjunctive and accept the indicative.
If you study Italian, where to start
To live, work and talk in Italy you need two things.
1. A few complete sentences in the present subjunctive. These are the ones used most. Learn them as they are:
- Penso che sia una buona idea. (I think it's a good idea.)
- Credo che tu abbia ragione. (I think you're right.)
- È meglio che io vada. (I'd better go.)
- Spero che tu venga alla festa. (I hope you come to the party.)
- Credo che fuori faccia freddo. (I think it's cold outside.)
- Spero che tu possa aiutarmi. (I hope you can help me.)
The subjunctive comes after penso che, credo che, spero che, è meglio che. Change one word and you already have a new sentence.
2. One hypothetical sentence. Learn this by heart: Se avessi più tempo, studierei di più. Here you need the imperfect subjunctive (avessi), followed by the conditional (studierei). Change the words and you already have a model for dozens of sentences.
Everything else (the pluperfect subjunctive, sequence of tenses, the less common irregular verbs) can wait.
How to practise, two minutes a day
If you already have a grammar base on the subjunctive and want to practise, follow these steps.
Every day write three sentences about your real life: two with "penso che" or "spero che" and one with "se avessi". For example: Spero che domani faccia bel tempo. Penso che il treno sia in ritardo. Se avessi un anno libero, andrei a vivere al mare.
Then read them out loud. You learn the subjunctive with your ear as much as with the rule: when a sentence sounds right, you repeat it without thinking.
Frequently asked questions
Do Italians still use the subjunctive?
Yes, though less than they used to in informal speech. In writing, documents, interviews and exams it is still the expected form.
Is it "se avrei" or "se avessi"?
It's "se avessi". After "se" introducing a hypothesis you need the subjunctive, while the conditional ("avrei") goes in the other part of the sentence: Se avessi saputo, sarei venuto.
When do you use the subjunctive and when the conditional?
The subjunctive expresses doubt, opinion, wishes or hypotheses (penso che sia vero, se avessi tempo). The conditional expresses the consequence or a polite request (lo farei, vorrei un caffè). In hypothetical sentences they often appear together, one on each side.
Can I speak Italian well without the subjunctive?
Yes. With the present indicative, the passato prossimo and a few subjunctive forms you can make yourself understood in almost every situation. You can polish the subjunctive later.
Where can I check my level?
Take the free level test: two minutes, based on the European CEFR scale.