How do you form conditional sentences (periodo ipotetico) in Italian?

In Italian there are 3 different types of conditional clauses, called 'periodo ipotetico'. The 1st type express a real condition, a fact, something about which we are sure of the consequences. It is formed by using present or future indicative in both the protasis (if clause) and the apodosis (principal clause). If the present indicative is used in the protasis, in the apodosis it is possible to use both present or future, as well as the imperative. The 2nd type expresses possibility in the present. It is formed using the imperfect subjunctive in the protasis and the present conditional in the apodosis: Se lui mangiasse meno, sarebbe meglio (if he ate less, it would be better). The third type expresses impossibility, an unreal situation in the past. It is formed by using pluperfect subjunctive in the protasis and past conditional in the apodosis.

CD
Answered by Chiara D. Italian tutor

4370 Views

See similar Italian IB tutors

Related Italian IB answers

All answers ▸

What can I do to improve my Italian reading skills in order to pass my exam with flying colours?


How can I translate in Italian: "After the 1000 expedition, Garibaldi abandoned the project of a unified italy and left the command of the enotre operation to Cavour and King Vittorio Emanuele II'.


Analyse a short text.


You are on holiday in an Italian speaking country. On your personal blog you post a message about someone you have just met. In your blog entry you explain: • three details about this person • where you met • what you have been doing together


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences