B1 · Intermediate Chapter 37

Subjective Thoughts

3 Total Rules
1 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Unlock the power of the Italian subjunctive to express your inner world, doubts, and personal beliefs.

  • Conjugate regular verbs in the present subjunctive.
  • Apply subjunctive mood after verbs of opinion like 'pensare'.
  • Express emotions and desires using 'sperare' and 'temere'.
Beyond the facts: express your true self.

What You'll Learn

Introduction to the Congiuntivo Presente. Learn to express opinions, doubts, and emotions using the subjunctive.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Conjugate regular -are, -ere, and -ire verbs in the present subjunctive.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Express personal opinions using 'penso che' followed by the subjunctive.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Articulate fears and hopes regarding future events.

Tips & Tricks (3)

💡

Focus on the trigger

Always look for the 'che' after a verb of emotion or doubt.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Subjunctive Present: Regular Verbs
💡

The 'Che' Rule

Always remember that 'che' is the bridge. If you see 'che' after 'pensare', the next verb must be in the subjunctive.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbs of Opinion (Pensare, Credere)
💡

Check the subject

Always check if the subject changes. If it doesn't, don't use the subjunctive.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbs of Emotion (Sperare, Temere)

Key Vocabulary (6)

pensare to think credere to believe sperare to hope temere to fear dubitare to doubt forse maybe

Real-World Preview

film

Discussing a Movie

Review Summary

  • -are: -i, -i, -i, -iamo, -iate, -ino; -ere/-ire: -a, -a, -a, -iamo, -iate, -ano
  • Penso che + [subjunctive]
  • Sperare/Temere che + [subjunctive]

Common Mistakes

After 'penso che', the indicative 'mangia' is incorrect. You must use the subjunctive form 'mangi'.

Wrong: Penso che lui mangia bene.
Correct: Penso che lui mangi bene.

The verb 'venire' is irregular, but even for regular verbs, the indicative is not allowed here. Always use the subjunctive after 'spero che'.

Wrong: Spero che tu vieni.
Correct: Spero che tu venga.

Using 'è' (indicative) implies a statement of fact, but 'credo' introduces a subjective belief. Use 'sia' to maintain the mood.

Wrong: Credo che è vero.
Correct: Credo che sia vero.

Next Steps

You have conquered a huge milestone in Italian grammar! Keep practicing, and the subjunctive will soon feel as natural as the indicative.

Listen to Italian podcasts and identify 'Penso che' phrases.

Continue to: Past Subjectivity

Quick Practice (10)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Penso di andare.
Same subject rule.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbs of Opinion (Pensare, Credere)

Correct the mistake.

Find and fix the mistake:

Credo che lui ha ragione.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Credo che lui abbia ragione.
Subjunctive needed.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbs of Opinion (Pensare, Credere)

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb.

Spero che tu ___ (stare) bene.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: stia
Sperare requires the subjunctive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbs of Emotion (Sperare, Temere)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Spero che tu sei felice.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Spero che tu sia felice.
Subjunctive after hope.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbs of Emotion (Sperare, Temere)

Fill in the correct form of 'parlare'.

Penso che lui ___ (parlare) bene.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: parli
Subjunctive after 'penso che'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Subjunctive Present: Regular Verbs

Fill in the blank.

Sono felice che voi ___ (essere) qui.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: siate
Subjunctive after emotion.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbs of Emotion (Sperare, Temere)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Credo che lui venga.
Venire is irregular.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Subjunctive Present: Regular Verbs

Correct the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Spero che tu sei felice.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Spero che tu sia felice.
Essere in subjunctive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Subjunctive Present: Regular Verbs

Find the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Temo che lui non ha capito.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Temo che lui non abbia capito.
Use past subjunctive for past events.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbs of Emotion (Sperare, Temere)

Select the correct mood.

So che tu ___ (essere) felice.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sei
So (I know) triggers the indicative.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbs of Emotion (Sperare, Temere)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

It allows you to express nuance, doubt, and emotion, which are key to natural Italian.
In formal writing, yes. In casual speech, it's sometimes dropped, but it's better to learn it.
It signals that you are expressing a personal opinion, not a fact.
Only in very informal or regional dialects, but it is considered incorrect in standard Italian.
It allows you to express subjectivity, emotions, and doubts, which are essential for nuanced communication.
Yes, especially in standard and formal Italian. It is very common in daily life.
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Regrets in the Past
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Past Subjectivity
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