In Italian, a Type 2 conditional (a.k.a Type 2 hypothetical) is a sentence that says something would or could happen if a condition is met. In other words, these are the conditionals we use when speaking hypothetically about a situation that could theoretically still come to pass, like: “If I had money, I would travel.”
In Italian, all sentences that give a condition (with se meaning if) and consequence are called periodo ipotetico meaning hypothetical sentence. Just as in English, these sentences have two parts:
the “if clause,” expressing the condition
the main clause expressing the consequence
In this post, we’ll show you how to construct Type 2 periodo ipotetico and imply that a condition that may, or may not, be met.
What are the types of hypothetical sentences in Italian?
In Italian there are three types of periodo ipotetico:
Type 1: Real / Likely We imagine that the condition has been met or will be met in the future. | Se piove, prendo l’ombrello. Translation: If it rains, I will take the umbrella. |
Type 2: Probable / Unlikely The discussion is hypothetical, but the situation could come to pass. | Se vincessi la lotteria, smetterei di lavorare. Translation: If I won the lottery, I would stop working. |
Type 3: Impossible The situation is impossible, it’s too late for it to happen. | Se fosse andato in Italia, avrebbe visitato Roma. Translation: If s/he had gone to Italy, s/he would have visited Rome. |
In this post, we’ll focus on the second group: the Type 2 hypotheticals. Now, let’s move on and learn about how to express a periodo ipotetico that indicates that the condition might or might not be realized.
How to use Type 2 possible/unlikely hypotheticals in Italian?
In Italian, you’ll use a Type 2 hypothetical (or periodo ipotetico della possibilità) when a condition is unlikely but possible:
How to form a Type 2 possible/unlikely hypothetical in Italian?
To form a Type 2 hypothetical, you’ll need to use the Italian imperfect subjunctive in the conditional clause, but there are actually only two different patterns for using this construction. Pretty cool, huh? These patterns are:
To make a statement about the results of something that could happen use the pattern below:
CONDITION CONSEQUENCE se + congiuntivo imperfettoTranslation: if + imperfect subjunctivecondizionale presenteTranslation: conditional presentFor example:
- imperfect subjunctiveconditional presentSe tu venissi con noi, ci divertiremmo un sacco.Translation: If you came with us, we would have a great time.Here, the person can change their mind and, if he/she did, they would have a great time.
- imperfect subjunctiveconditional presentSe lui fosse più alto, giocherebbe nella Nazionale.Translation: If I were taller, I would play in the National team.Here the condition is unlikely, if not impossible, in the present because the person will not get taller.
You can learn more about these two tenses by reading our posts on the congiuntivo imperfetto and the present conditional in Italian!
To tell someone what to do in an unlikely situation use the pattern below:
CONDITION CONSEQUENCE se + congiuntivo imperfettoTranslation: if + imperfect subjunctiveimperativoTranslation: imperativeFor example:
- imperfect subjunctiveimperativeSe Paola chiamasse quando non ci sono, avvertimi subito.Translation: If Paola were to call when I am not there, let me know immediately.Here the person may or may not call, but if that happens, you need to do something.
Have a look at our post on the Italian imperative to learn more about this verb form used for giving commands!
To sum up
An Italian periodo ipotetico is made of two parts:
the “if” clause (dependent) indicating the condition, and
the “main” clause, indicating the consequence.
In Italian there are three types of periodo ipotetico depending if the condition is:
Real
Possible/Unlikely
Impossible
Type 2 is used to express a condition that might happen, or that is highly improbable, yet possible, and here is how to do it:
Se
imperfect subjunctive
present conditional
imperative
Ready to practice Type 2 hypotheticals in Italian? Let's go!
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