Lesson: Periodo Ipotetico – Unreality in Italian

In Italian the Periodo Ipotetico (Hypotetical Phrase) is made of two clauses: one expresses a condition and it is introduced by “se” (or “qualora“, “purché“, “nel caso che“) which means if, whereas the main clause expresses a consequence.

In Italian we have three different types of Periodo Ipotetico: the third type expresses unreality, so the hypotesis is something unreal.

In terms of its structure, there are two possible options:

• se + Congiuntivo Trapassato to express the hypotesis and Condizionale Presente to express the consequence.

The first clause expresses an unreal condition in the past, the main clause a consequence which is not realized in the present.

Have a look at some examples:

Condition	Consequence
Se avessi studiato matematica If I had studied maths	ora saprei fare questo esercizio now I would be able to do this exercise
Se fossi andato dal dottore If I had gone to the doctor	starei meglio I would feel better

 

• se + Congiuntivo Trapassato to express the hypotesis and Condizionale Passato to express the consequence.

The first clause expresses an unreal condition in the past, the main clause a consequence which is not realized in the past.

Let’s see some examples:

Condition	Consequence
Se avessi avuto tempo If I had had time	sarei venuto a trovarti I would have come to see you
Se mi fossi svegliato presto If I had woken up early	sarei arrivato a lavoro alle 8 I would have arrived at work at 8

 

Can you think of any other examples?

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