Italian Grammar Bank
ITALIAN IF CLAUSE (TYPE 2)
The secondo periodo ipotetico (second conditional) is used in Italian to talk about hypothetical situations or things that are unlikely or impossible to happen in the present or future.
It is used to express unreal or imagined situations that are often contrary to reality.
BASIC STRUCTURE
The secondo periodo ipotetico typically follows this sentence structure:
PATTERN
Se + imperfect subjunctive (condition) + present conditional (result)
WHEN TO USE THE SECOND CONDITIONAL
The secondo periodo ipotetico is used to express hypothetical situations that are:
- Unlikely: Something that could happen but is not very likely.
- Contrary to reality: Something that is not true in the present but could be imagined if the circumstances were different.
It’s often used when imagining how things could be different or expressing regrets or wishes about how things could have been.
ANALYSING THE STRUCTURE
The Imperfetto del Congiuntivo (Imperfect Subjunctive)
The verb in the if-clause (condition) is conjugated in the imperfetto del congiuntivo, which is used to express hypothetical situations.
The imperfetto del congiuntivo has specific endings that must be applied to the verb stem:
| Person | -ARE Verbs | -ERE Verbs | -IRE Verbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Io | -assi | -essi | -issi |
| Tu | -assi | -essi | -issi |
| Lui/Lei | -asse | -esse | -isse |
| Noi | -assimo | -essimo | -issimo |
| Voi | -aste | -este | -iste |
| Loro | -assero | -essero | -issero |
For example:
- Mangiare (to eat): mangiassi, mangiassi, mangiasse, mangiassimo, mangiaste, mangiassero
- Vedere (to see): vedessi, vedessi, vedesse, vedessimo, vedeste, vedessero
- Dormire (to sleep): dormissi, dormissi, dormisse, dormissimo, dormiste, dormissero
The Condizionale Presente (Present Conditional)
The verb in the main clause (risultato) is conjugated in the condizionale presente. The condizionale presente expresses what would happen in a hypothetical situation. The endings for the condizionale presente are:
| Person | -ARE Verbs | -ERE Verbs | -IRE Verbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Io | -rei | -rei | -rei |
| Tu | -resti | -resti | -resti |
| Lui/Lei | -rebbe | -rebbe | -rebbe |
| Noi | -remmo | -remmo | -remmo |
| Voi | -reste | -reste | -reste |
| Loro | -rebero | -rebero | -rebero |
For example:
- Mangiare (to eat): mangerei, mangeresti, mangerebbe, mangeremmo, mangereste, mangerebbero
- Vedere (to see): vedrei, vedresti, vedrebbe, vedremmo, vedreste, vedrebbero
- Dormire (to sleep): dormirei, dormiresti, dormirebbe, dormiremmo, dormireste, dormirebbero
EXAMPLES
Hypothetical Situations (Unlikely)
When you talk about something that is possible but unlikely, you use the secondo periodo ipotetico.
| Se avessi tempo, viaggerei in Europa. | If I had time, I would travel in Europe. |
| Se piovesse, staremmo a casa. | If it rained, we would stay at home. |
| Se parlassi italiano, potrei lavorare in Italia. | If I spoke Italian, I could work in Italy. |
| Se sapessi la risposta, te la direi. | If I knew the answer, I would tell you. |
| Se avessimo una macchina, andremmo in montagna. | If we had a car, we would go to the mountains. |
These sentences are unlikely situations because they describe something that could happen but isn’t very probable (e.g., I don’t have time to travel, or it might not rain).
Expressing Regret or Desire (Wishful Thinking)
In some cases, the secondo periodo ipotetico is used to express regret or desire for a different reality.
This is commonly seen with se followed by the imperfetto del congiuntivo and the condizionale to express what one wishes had happened.
| Se avessi un altro lavoro, sarei più felice. | If I had another job, I would be happier. |
| Se conoscessi meglio l’italiano, potrei parlare con i locali. | If I knew Italian better, I could speak with the locals. |
| Se vivessi in una città più grande, avrei più opportunità. | If I lived in a bigger city, I would have more opportunities. |
| Se avessi un giardino, passerei più tempo all’aperto. | If I had a garden, I would spend more time outdoors. |
| Se fossi in vacanza, andrei al mare ogni giorno. | If I were on vacation, I would go to the beach every day. |
In these sentences, we express a desire or regret about a situation that is not true in the present.
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FAQs
What difference between first and second conditional in Italian?
The difference between the first conditional and the second conditional in Italian (and in general grammar terms) lies in likelihood and verb tense usage.
➡️ The first conditional describes real or likely future situations.
Se + present indicative, future simple
Se ho tempo, ti chiamerò. (If I have time, I will call you.)
➡️ The second conditional describes hypothetical or unlikely situations, often contrary to the present reality.
Se + imperfect subjunctive, conditional present
Se avessi tempo, ti chiamerei. (If I had time, I would call you.)
What is the second conditional in Italian used for?
The second conditional in Italian is used to express hypothetical or unlikely situations and their possible outcomes, especially those contrary to present reality.
What verb tenses are used in the second conditional?
The typical structure includes the imperfect subjunctive (congiuntivo imperfetto) in the “if” clause (se) and the present conditional (condizionale presente) in the result clause.
Is the second conditional only used with “se”?
While “se” (if) is the most common conjunction, sometimes expressions like come se (as if) or nel caso in cui (in case) may involve similar hypothetical constructions using the imperfect subjunctive.
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