Purpose

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to form the past (imperfect) congiuntivo and apply the sequence-of-tenses rule to choose between present and past congiuntivo.

Lesson Explanation

Everything covered in the congiuntivo lessons so far used the present congiuntivo. The congiuntivo imperfetto is formed from the infinitive stem with its own distinct endings: -are: parlassi, parlassi, parlasse, parlassimo, parlaste, parlassero. -ere: credessi, credessi, credesse, credessimo, credeste, credessero. -ire: dormissi, dormissi, dormisse, dormissimo, dormiste, dormissero.

Essere is genuinely irregular: fossi, fossi, fosse, fossimo, foste, fossero.

The sequence of tenses rule determines which congiuntivo to use: if the main-clause verb is in the present or future, the subordinate clause uses the PRESENT congiuntivo: Spero che tu venga. (main clause present, matching Part 4, Lesson 4.) If the main-clause verb is in the passato prossimo, imperfetto, or condizionale, the subordinate clause uses the PAST (imperfetto) congiuntivo instead: Speravo che tu venissi. (I was hoping you would come — main clause imperfetto, subordinate clause congiuntivo imperfetto.)

The congiuntivo imperfetto also appears, independent of this sequence rule, in hypothetical “if” clauses about situations contrary to present reality — paired with the condizionale (Part 4, Lesson 1), directly parallel to the equivalent structures in Spanish, French, and English covered in earlier-built Gabal courses: Se avessi soldi, viaggerei. (If I had money, I would travel.)

Practice Questions