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Tense guide
Imperfetto congiuntivo (Imperfect Subjunctive)

Language: Italian
Tense:
Person:

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Introduction

This verb form is used to talk about actions, feelings, or ideas from a point of view in the past. It describes things that were not certain or were subjective. You often see it after expressions like "I thought that.."., "It was important that.."., or "I wanted..".. It helps express doubt, desire, or opinion about a past event.

You use this tense to share what someone thought, believed, or imagined in the past. It shows that the idea was just an opinion or a belief, not a definite fact.

Pensavo che tu fossi in vacanza.
(I thought that you were on vacation.)
Credeva che il negozio fosse ancora aperto.
(He believed that the store was still open.)
Non ero sicura che lui venisse alla festa.
(I wasn't sure that he would come to the party.)
Immaginavano che il viaggio durasse di più.
(They imagined that the trip would last longer.)

This tense is used after expressions that describe a feeling or emotion in the past. It explains what caused that feeling.

Ero felice che tu fossi lì con me.
(I was happy that you were there with me.)
Aveva paura che l'esame fosse troppo difficile.
(She was afraid that the exam would be too difficult.)
Ci dispiaceva che tu non potessi venire.
(We were sorry that you couldn't come.)

Use this tense to talk about something you wanted or hoped for in the past. It shows a past desire for something to happen.

Volevo che mi aiutassi.
(I wanted you to help me.)
Speravano che il tempo migliorasse.
(They hoped that the weather would improve.)
Mia madre desiderava che io studiassi medicina.
(My mother wanted me to study medicine.)

You use this tense after general or impersonal statements made in the past. These often start with phrases like "It was necessary that..". or "It seemed like.."..

Era importante che tutti ascoltassero.
(It was important that everyone listened.)
Sembrava che piovesse.
(It seemed like it was raining.)
Bisognava che noi partissimo presto.
(It was necessary for us to leave early.)

This tense is often used with the expression prima che (before). It describes an action that was supposed to happen, or not happen, before another event in the past.

Ho finito i compiti prima che mia madre tornasse.
(I finished my homework before my mother came back.)
Dovevamo andarcene prima che il film finisse.
(We had to leave before the movie ended.)
Ha bevuto un caffè prima che la riunione cominciasse.
(He had a coffee before the meeting started.)

You can use this tense with words like nonostante or sebbene (although/despite). It introduces a fact that existed in the past despite a challenge or another condition.

Siamo andati a correre nonostante facesse molto caldo.
(We went for a run despite it being very hot.)
Ha finito il progetto sebbene non avesse molto tempo.
(She finished the project although she didn't have much time.)

Remember, this verb form is almost never used alone. It usually follows a main idea that is set in the past, like "I thought that..". or "It was important that.."..

Further explanations

Conjugation patterns