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Italian Grammar Bank
ITALIAN SUB-CONJUNCTIONS
Italian conjunctions play a crucial role in weaving a connective thread between words, sentences and propositions.
In this lesson, we will explore a particular type of conjunctions, the subordinating conjunctions, a category of conjunctions that are characterised by their role in introducing dependency and hierarchy between sentences.
WHAT ARE SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
Subordinating conjunctions link two propositions, one main or regent and one secondary or subordinate.
Subordinating conjunctions play a fundamental role because:
• They introduce a dependency relationship between the main (regent) proposition and the subordinate one, determining a grammatical hierarchy.
• They help clarify the logical relationship between linked sentences, establishing connections of time, cause, purpose, consequence, concession and condition.
• They allow the meaning of sentences to be expanded and enriched, making communication more precise and articulate.
Hierarchical relationships also exist between sentences.
Subordinating conjunctions serve precisely this purpose, to establish a dependent relationship between a main and a subordinating proposition.
| Andrò al parco. | I will go to the park. |
| Quando avrò finito i compiti. | When I have finished my homework. |
What is the difference between these two sentences? The first one makes sense on its own and is therefore the regent; the second one, on the other hand, does not ‘stand’ on its own, but has to lean on the other one.
The result is a complex sentence such as I will go to the park when I have finished my homework where the conjunction when introduces a subordinate temporal proposition.
The type of relationship that the conjunction establishes between the main sentence and the subordinate varies depending on the meaning of the conjunction and can be temporal, as in the previous example, but also causal, final, consecutive.
DECLARATIVE SUB-CONJUNCTIONS
Declarative subordinating conjunctions, such as che (that), come (how), cioé (i.e.), vale a dire (i.e.), introduce a proposition that completes the meaning of the main one.
| Valeria è totalmente impazzita, vale a dire non smette più di parlare; | Valeria has gone totally crazy, i.e. she won’t stop talking; |
| Questo mi dispiace, cioè la cattiva influenza di Paolo su Luca. | This I regret, i.e. Paolo’s bad influence on Luca. |
| Giorgio ha detto che verrà a trovarci settimana prossima. | Giorgio said that he will visit us next week. |
INTERROGATIVE SUB-CONJUNCTIONS
Subordinating interrogative conjunctions introduce an indirect question.
Unlike direct interrogative propositions, which end with a question mark, indirect interrogative conjunctions are preceded by verbs such as ask, question, know, and state a question.
They are conjunctions such as se (if), quando (when), come (how), perché (why), quanto (as) not to be confused with the corresponding conditional, temporal, causal etc., which are the same in form but different in function.
| Non so se Giorgio verrà a trovarci. | I don’t know if Giorgio is coming to visit |
| Come sia riuscito a farlo, ancora non lo so. | How he managed to do it, I still don’t know. |
TEMPORAL SUB-CONJUNCTIONS
Temporal subordinating conjunctions introduce a proposition that indicates the moment, the circumstance in which the action expressed by the main clause occurs.
They are quando (when), mentre (while), finché (until), prima che (before that), dopo che (after that).
| Ho aspettato finché Clara è uscita; | I waited until Clara left; |
| Matteo è depresso da che ha perso il lavoro. | Matteo has been depressed since he lost his job. |
| Giorgio verrà a trovarci quando tornerà dal suo viaggio. | Giorgio will come to see us when he returns from his trip. |
CAUSAL SUB-CONJUNCTIONS
Causal subordinating conjunctions introduce a sentence that explains why the action expressed by the regent occurred.
Among the most common are perché (because), poiché (since), siccome (since), dal momento che (since), visto che (seen that).
| Mi sono svegliato perché ho fatto un incubo; | I woke up because I had a nightmare; |
| Andiamo a trovare la zia, visto che è malata. | Let’s go visit my aunt, since she’s sick. |
| Giorgio non è venuto perché ha la febbre. | Giorgio did not come because he has a fever. |
SUBORDINATING FINAL CONJUNCTIONS
Final conjunctions such as because and because introduce a subordinate clause with the subjunctive verb expressing the end, the purpose for which the action of the main clause was performed:
perché (in the meaning of ‘so that’), affinché (so that).
| Ha corso molto veloce, tanto che ha vinto la gara; | He ran so fast that he won the race; |
| Studierò velocemente poiché voglio andare in piscina. | I will study fast as I want to go to the pool. |
| Giorgio è venuto a trovarci perché potessimo salutarlo prima del viaggio. | Giorgio came to see us so that we could say goodbye to him before the trip. |
SUB-CONSECUTIVE CONJUNCTIONS
Subordinating consecutive conjunctions introduce a proposition expressing the consequence of the action indicated by the main. They are cosicché (so that), in modo da (so that), al punto che (to the point that).
| Giorgio è influenzato al punto che non è potuto venire. | Giorgio is so sick to the point that he could not come. |
| All’interno della banca le telecamere erano collegate in modo da riprendere tutti i clienti. | Inside the bank the cameras were connected in such a way that all customers were filmed. |
CONCESSIVE SUB-CONJUNCTIONS
Concessive subordinating conjunctions introduce a proposition indicating a circumstance in spite of which the action expressed by the regent has taken place.
Here are some of the most common concessive conjunctions: sebbene (although), nonostante (although), benché (in spite of), anche se (even if).
| Ha fatto finta di niente sebbene sapesse la verità; | He played dumb even though he knew the truth; |
| Ha indossato il maglione anche se faceva caldo. | He wore his jumper even though it was hot. |
| Giorgio è venuto nonostante avesse la febbre. | Giorgio came despite having a fever. |
CONDITIONAL SUB-CONJUNCTIONS
Subordinating conditional conjunctions introduce a sentence indicating the necessary condition for the action expressed by the main one to occur.
They are se (if), qualora (if only), purché (as long as), a patto che (provided that).
| Sarei andata via se tu non me lo avessi impedito; | I would have left if you hadn’t stopped me; |
| Te lo presto purché me lo riporti. | I’ll lend it to you as long as you bring it back to me. |
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FAQs
What are subordinating conjunctions in Italian?
Subordinating conjunctions are words that connect a dependent clause to a main clause, adding detail or context to the primary action.
Examples include perché (because), se (if), and mentre (while).
What difference between subordinating and coordinating conjunctions?
Subordinating conjunctions link dependent clauses to a main clause, giving more depth to the sentence, while coordinating conjunctions connect two independent clauses of equal importance.
When should I use “perché” versus “poiché”?
Both mean “because,” but perché is more commonly used in speech to explain a reason, while poiché is slightly more formal and often appears in written Italian.
Can a sub-conjunction start a sentence?
Yes, in Italian, a subordinating conjunction can begin a sentence, usually when emphasizing the reason or condition before the main clause.
For example: Sebbene fosse tardi, continuò a studiare (Although it was late, he/she kept studying).
What are some conjunctions for time?
Common temporal subordinating conjunctions include quando (when), mentre (while), finché (until), and dopo che (after).
These help provide timing and sequence information in complex sentences.
Can I study Italian with LTL?
Yes!
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