Italian Grammar Bank
ITALIAN CONDITIONS (TYPE 3)
The terzo periodo ipotetico (third conditional) in Italian is used to talk about hypothetical situations in the past—things that could have happened but didn’t.
This structure is essential for expressing regret, missed opportunities, or alternative outcomes that were not realised.
BASIC STRUCTURE
The verb in the if-clause is in the congiuntivo trapassato (past perfect subjunctive), while the verb in the main clause is in the condizionale passato (past conditional).
PATTERN
Se + past perfect subjunctive + past conditional
This formation expresses hypothetical situations that did not happen in the past, making it similar to the English “If I had studied, I would have passed.”
WHEN TO USE THE THIRD CONDITIONAL
The third conditional is used when:
- You imagine a different past: Expressing how things could have been different.
- You express regret: Talking about missed opportunities.
- You describe hypothetical alternative past outcomes: Discussing what would have happened under different conditions.
ANALYSING THE STRUCTURE
The Congiuntivo Trapassato (Past Perfect Subjunctive)
The congiuntivo trapassato is formed with the imperfetto del congiuntivo of essere or avere plus the past participle.
| verb | Avere (to have) | Essere (to be) |
|---|---|---|
| Io | avessi avuto | fossi stato/a |
| Tu | avessi avuto | fossi stato/a |
| Lui/Lei | avesse avuto | fosse stato/a |
| Noi | avessimo avuto | fossimo stati/e |
| Voi | aveste avuto | foste stati/e |
| Loro | avessero avuto | fossero stati/e |
For example:
- Mangiare (to eat) → Se io avessi mangiato…
- Partire (to leave) → Se tu fossi partito…
The Condizionale Passato (Past Conditional)
The condizionale passato is formed with the condizionale presente of essere or avere plus the past participle.
| Verb | Avere (to have) | Essere (to be) |
|---|---|---|
| Io | avrei avuto | sarei stato/a |
| Tu | avresti avuto | saresti stato/a |
| Lui/Lei | avrebbe avuto | sarebbe stato/a |
| Noi | avremmo avuto | saremmo stati/e |
| Voi | avreste avuto | sareste stati/e |
| Loro | avrebbero avuto | sarebbero stati/e |
For example:
- Mangiare (to eat) → Avrei mangiato…
- Partire (to leave) → Sarei partito/a…
EXAMPLES
Expressing regret
| Se avessi studiato di più, avrei superato l’esame. | If I had studied more, I would have passed the exam. |
| Se fossi andato in palestra, sarei dimagrito. | If I had gone to the gym, I would have lost weight. |
View More Examples:
| Se avessimo prenotato prima, avremmo trovato un hotel migliore. | If we had booked earlier, we would have found a better hotel. |
| Se avessi ascoltato il consiglio, non avrei sbagliato. | If I had listened to the advice, I wouldn’t have made a mistake. |
| Se loro avessero studiato, avrebbero ottenuto voti migliori. | If they had studied, they would have gotten better grades. |
Expressing missed opportunities
| Se avessi accettato quel lavoro, avrei guadagnato di più. | If I had accepted that job, I would have earned more. |
| Se fosse venuto alla festa, si sarebbe divertito. | If he had come to the party, he would have had fun. |
View More Examples:
| Se avessimo comprato la casa l’anno scorso, avremmo risparmiato soldi. | If we had bought the house last year, we would have saved money. |
| Se tu mi avessi chiamato, sarei venuto subito. | If you had called me, I would have come immediately. |
| Se avessi avuto più tempo, avrei finito il progetto. | If I had had more time, I would have finished the project. |
Expressing alternative past outcomes
| Se avesse guidato più piano, non avrebbe avuto un incidente. | If he had driven more slowly, he wouldn’t have had an accident. |
| Se fossi rimasto a casa, non avrei perso il portafoglio. | If I had stayed home, I wouldn’t have lost my wallet. |
View More Examples:
| Se avessimo saputo del traffico, avremmo preso un’altra strada. | If we had known about the traffic, we would have taken another road. |
| Se loro avessero giocato meglio, avrebbero vinto la partita. | If they had played better, they would have won the match. |
| Se avessi chiuso la finestra, non sarebbe entrato il freddo. | If I had closed the window, the cold wouldn’t have come in. |
Learn Italian with FlexiClasses
Book online classes with the best teachers in the industry.
FAQs
What is the Italian third conditional?
The third conditional expresses hypothetical situations in the past—things that didn’t happen but could have had a different outcome.
What is the sentence structure of the third conditional in Italian?
The sentence structure of the third conditional in Italian is:
Se + past perfect subjunctive + past conditional
Example: Se avessi studiato di più, avrei passato l’esame.
(If I had studied more, I would have passed the exam.)
Is “se” always necessary in the third conditional?
Yes, “se” (if) is necessary to form the conditional structure in most cases. It introduces the hypothetical condition upon which the result depends.
What is the difference between the first, second, and third conditional in Italian?
First conditional: Real future possibilities. → Se studierò, passerò l’esame. (If I study, I will pass.)
Second conditional: Unreal or unlikely present situations. → Se studiassi, passerei l’esame. (If I studied, I would pass.)
Third conditional: Unreal past situations. → Se avessi studiato, avrei passato l’esame. (If I had studied, I would have passed.)
Can I learn Italian with LTL?
Yes!
We offer individual and group classes on our online platform, Flexi Classes.
Check out our 7 Day Free Trial and get started today!
MORE FREE LESSONS
-
Present & past subjonctive in Italian
Main Clause (Indicative) + "che" + Dependent Clause (Present Subjunctive) -
Italian mixed conditional tense
Se + Past Perfect Subjunctive + Present Conditional -
Italian second conditional tense
Se + imperfect subjunctive (condition) + present conditional (result) -
Imperfect subjunctive in Italian
Main clause (indicative) + "che" + Dependent clause (imperfect subjunctive)