Periodo ipotetico
The periodo ipotetico is the equivalent of the English conditional sentence (or if-sentence). It is used to make hypothesis about the past, present, future or to predict the consequences of an action.
The periodo ipotetico consist of two parts: a dependent clause introduced by “se” (if-clause) expressing a condition, possibility, or hypothesis; and an independent clause (main clause) expressing the consequence.
Se fosse bel tempo, uscirei! (If the weather were nice, I would go out)
→ “Se” = introduces the hypothesis
→ “fosse bel tempo” = hypothesis or condition to be met
→ “uscirei” = result if that condition is met
Se vieni a Iowa City, chiamami (If you come to Iowa City, call me)
→ “Se” = introduces the hypothesis
→ “vieni a Iowa City” = hypothesis or condition to be met
→ “chiamami” = result if that condition is met
In Italian there are three types of periodo ipotetico depending on whether the hypothetical conditions are:
- real or probable → Periodo ipotetico di I (primo) tipo, o della REALTÀ
- improbable but possible → Periodo ipotetico di II (secondo) tipo, o della POSSIBILITÀ
- contrary to fact → Periodo ipotetico di III (terzo) tipo, o della IMPOSSIBILITÀ o IRREALTÀ
The mood and tense of the verbs to be used in these sentences depend on the type of condition (and therefore of hypothetical sentence).
For the three types of periodo ipotetico, you must review the following verb forms:
- INDICATIVO tenses (particularly the PRESENTE and FUTURO)
- CONGIUNTIVO IMPERFETTO; CONDIZIONALE PRESENTE and PASSATO
- CONGIUNTIVO TRAPASSATO; CONDIZIONALE PASSATO
See the table below for a synthetic comparison:
| I = REALTÀ | II = POSSIBILITÀ | III = IMPOSSIBILITÀ | |
| Condition
(if-clause) |
Se + indicativo | Se + congiuntivo imperfetto | Se + congiuntivo trapassato |
| Consequence
(main / independent clause) |
Indicativo o Imperativo | Condizionale presente o passato | Condizionale passato |
| Examples | Se vai alla festa, vengo con te | Se facessi silenzio, potrei studiare | Se avessi studiato di più, avrei preso un bel voto |
| Explanation | If you go to the party, I’ll come with you → the result will happen if the condition is met → real or likely hypothesis | If you were quiet, I could study → the condition can still be met, if “you” decide to be quiet “I” can still study → possible hypothesis | If I had studied more, I could have gotten a good grade → the condition cannot be met anymore, the exam has been taken, I regret that I did not meet this condition when I could and now I can’t change the situation → impossible or unreal (contrary-to fact) hypothesis |
Periodo ipotetico I (realtà)
The first type of hypothetical sentence assumes that the condition can be met, is likely to happen or is a real probability. In Italian, to state what is real or likely use the INDICATIVO in the “se” clause and INDICATIVO or IMPERATIVO in the independent clause. Usually, the same mood and tense is used in both parts, but there can be a variety of options for combination of tenses. The most common are:
- SE + presente + presente → Se mangio molto, non ho fame.
- SE + futuro + futuro → Se mangerò molto, non avrò fame.
- SE + presente + futuro → Se mangio molto, non avrò fame.
NOTE: the translation of all these examples is the same: If I eat a lot, I will not be hungry.
IMPERATIVO can be used with presente or passato prossimo, as follows:
- SE + presente + imperativo → Se mangio molto, fermami! (= If I eat a lot, stop me!)
- SE + passato prossimo + imperativo → Se ho mangiato troppo, dimmelo! (= If I ate too much, tell me!)
After SE + INDICATIVO past tense, you can use present, future or past tenses, as shown below:
- SE + passato prossimo + presente → Se ha mangiato, non ha fame (= If he ate, he is not hungry)
- SE + passato prossimo + future → Se ha mangiato, non avrà fame (= If he ate, he won’t be hungry)
- SE + passato prossimo + imperfetto → Se ha mangiato, aveva fame (= If he ate, he was hungry)
- SE + passato prossimo + passato prossimo → Se ha mangiato, ha fatto bene (= If he ate, he was right to do so)
- SE + passato prossimo + Imperativo → Se ha mangiato, digli di non venire (= If he ate, tell him not to come over)
- SE + passato remoto + imperfetto → Se mangiò, aveva fame (= If he ate, he was hungry)
- SE + imperfetto + imperfetto → Se mangiava, non beveva (= If he was eating, he wasn’t drinking)
As you can see, there are many possibilities, and in most cases, you have seen these structures before.
The most important rules are:
- If the condition (if-clause) is in the FUTURO, you can only have the FUTURO in the independent clause
- If the condition (if-clause) is in the PRESENTE, you can only have the PRESENTE, FUTURO, or IMPERATIVO
- The if-clause is never in the IMPERATIVO
NOTE: only in the first type of hypothetical sentence (with INDICATIVO), the word SE (if) can be substituted by QUANDO (when):
Se ho fame, mangio (= If I’m hungry, I eat)
Quando ho fame, mangio (= When I’m hungry, I eat)
Periodo ipotetico II (possibilità)
The second type of hypothetical sentence refers to an imaginary situation in the present or future. It is used to talk about a condition that is unlikely to be met (but might be possible).
The second type of PERIODO IPOTETICO is formed as follows:
SE + congiuntivo imperfetto + condizionale presente OR passato
The most common structure is the following:
- SE + congiuntivo imperfetto + condizionale presente
Se comprassi questi pantaloni, spenderei tutti i soldi che ho.
If I bought these pants, I would spend all the money I have.
→ “Se” = introduces the hypothesis
→ “comprassi questi pantaloni” = hypothesis or condition that needs to be met (not likely in this moment, but I might change my mind and do it, so possible)
→“spenderei tutti i soldi che ho” = consequence if the condition is met
When the condition (if-clause) is possible but contrary to fact, and the consequence is what would have happened in the past if the condition were met, then use:
- SE + congiuntivo imperfetto + condizionale passato
Se questi pantaloni costassero meno, li avrei comprati.
If these pants were less expensive, I would have bought them.
→ “Se” = introduces the hypothesis
→ “questi pantaloni costassero meno” = hypothesis or condition that needs to be met (contrary to fact: the pants are too expensive.)
→ “li avrei comprati” = consequence in the past if the condition were met
Periodo ipotetico III (irrealtà / impossibilità)
The third type of hypothetical sentence refers to the past, which means that things have already happened, and it is impossible to change them: the condition cannot be met; it is contrary to fact. In this case you must use:
SE + congiuntivo trapassato + condizionale presente OR passato
CONDIZIONALE PRESENTE is used to express what would happen if the condition had been met in the past—the condition refers to the past, but the consequence is in the present or future.
Se avesse letto il libro, capirebbe il film.
If he had read the book, he would understand the film.
→ “Se” = introduces the hypothesis
→ “avesse letto il libro” = hypothesis or condition that was NOT met in the past (contrary to fact): he did not read it before watching the movie.
→ “capirebbe il film” = consequence in the present of that condition not met: he would understand the movie NOW, but he can’t = conditional present
More commonly, both the condition and the consequence refer to the past, in which case the CONDIZIONALE PASSATO is used.
Se avesse letto il libro, gli sarebbe piaciuto.
If he had read the book, he would have liked it.
→ “Se” = introduces the hypothesis
→ “avesse letto il libro” = hypothesis or condition that was NOT met in the past (contrary to fact): he did not read the book.
→ “gli sarebbe piaciuto” = consequence in the past of that condition not met: he would have liked the book (but it was impossible for him to like it because he didn’t read it) = conditional past.
NOTES:
- “SE” is always followed by an indicative or subjunctive verb; it is NEVER followed by a CONDITIONAL verb.
- Sometimes the word “SE” is omitted in Italian: “Avessi i soldi, comprerei quei pantaloni.” (= If I had money, I would buy those pants.)
- When translating, remember that “would” (or “could”, “should”, “would like”) signals the Conditional Present, and “would have” (or “could have”, “should have”, “would have liked”) signals the Conditional Past.
- The order of the clauses is interchangeable.
Se avessimo fame, mangeremmo
OR
Mangeremmo, se avessimo fame.
Altri usi di “SE”
Suggestions
When “SE” is followed by CONGIUNTIVO IMPERFETTO it introduces a suggestion. It is equivalent to the English: “How about….?”, “What about…?”, “Shouldn’t we…?”.
Se andassimo in vacanza? How about we go on vacation?
NOTE: “Che ne dici” / “Che ne diresti” + di + infinitive also introduces a suggestion.
Che ne dici di andare in vacanza? What do you think about going on vacation? Che ne diresti di andare in vacanza? Why don’t we go on vacation?
Uncertainty
“SE” can mean “whether.” When this is the case, and “SE” is introduced by verbs that express doubt or uncertainty or questions, it can be followed by INDICATIVO, CONDIZIONALE, OR CONGIUNTIVO.
Non so se ti piacerebbe fare questo viaggio. → Condizionale I don’t know if / whether you’d like to take this trip. Mi chiedo se vuole venire con noi. → Indicativo (presente) I wonder if / whether he wants to come. Mi domando se voglia venire con noi. → Congiuntivo I wonder if / whether he wants to come.
NOTE: as you can see above, when “SE” is introduced be a verb of doubt, the use of congiuntivo is optional. The use of congiuntivo simply stresses the element of doubt or uncertainty.
Wishes or Regrets
Sometimes to express a wish or a regret, “SE” is omitted. This only happens with CONGIUNTIVO IMPERFETTO or TRAPASSATO.
(Se) avessi fatto l’esame prima! → Congiuntivo trapassato = regret I wish I had taken the exam before! (Se) potessi fare una vacanza! → Congiuntivo imperfetto = wish I wish I could take a vacation!
