Periodo Ipotetico – Possibility in Italian
The Italian Periodo Ipotetico (Hypotetical Phrase) is made of two clauses: one expresses a condition, an hypothesis, and it is introduced by “se“, which means if (or by “qualora“, “purché“, “nel caso che“); the main clause depends on it and expresses the consequence.
In Italian there are three types of Periodo Ipotetico: let’s focus on the second type, which expresses possibility.
In this case, the hypothesis is possible, but not sure.
It uses se + Congiuntivo Imperfetto to express the condition and the Condizionale Presente for the consequence.
Have a look:
| CONDITION | CONSEQUENCE |
Se mi chiedessi di andare a Roma If you asked me to go to Rome | verrei con te I would come with you |
Se non fosse così costosa If it wasn’t so expensive | comprerei quella macchina I would buy that car |
Se avessi tempo If I had time | andrei in palestra tutti i giorni I would go to the gym every day |
Qualora avessi l’occasione If I had the chance | partirei per New York I would leave for New York |
Why don’t you try with some more examples for the Italian Periodo Ipotetico?
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