How can I construct the 'periodo ipotetico'?

The periodo ipotetico is a construct in Italian that is useful to express hypothetical actions, following the "if...then..." structure. There are three different periodi ipotetici: della realtà, describing real situations that do happen, della possibilità, descirbing possible situations that might happen e dell'irrealtà, describing situations, that can only be imagined and cannot actually happen (often things that happened in the past and cannot be changed).

They are made of two parts: the "if" part, called protasi, and the "then" part, called apodosi.
Depending on which kind of situation is described, different tenses have to be used:
1) della realtà: SE + indicativo; (then) indicativo/imperativo
"Se piove, prendo l'ombrello"
"Se piove, copriti!"

2) della possibilità: SE + congiuntivo imperfetto, (then) condizionale presente
"Se avessi un fidanzato, sarei felice"
3) dell'irrealtà: SE + congiuntivo trapassato, (then) condizionale passato
"Se Marta fosse stata attenta, non sarebbe caduta"
 

Answered by Giulia A. Italian tutor

3389 Views

See similar Italian A Level tutors

Related Italian A Level answers

All answers ▸

When do I use the "imperfetto" ?


What are the auxiliary verbs in Italian? What is their function?


What are the most common colour idioms?


what does ''which'' mean and how is it used?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy