Italian B2: If I were: the imperfect subjunctive · Phrases

Unlikely or imagined conditions: se + congiuntivo imperfetto, then the conditional: Se avessi tempo, viaggerei. Forms: -assi, -essi, -issi (parlassi, prendessi, partissi); essere → fossi, dare → dessi, stare → stessi, fare → facessi. It also follows past verbs of opinion and the conditional of wishing: Pensavo che fosse vero; Vorrei che tu restassi.

• se — if
• fossi — (if) I were
• avessi — (if) I had
• potessi — (if) I could
• vincere — to win
• la lotteria — lottery
• sognare — to dream
• al posto tuo — if I were you

• Se fossi in te, accetterei. — If I were you, I’d accept.
• Magari potessi venire! — I wish I could come!
• Cosa faresti se vincessi la lotteria? — What would you do if you won the lottery?
• Vorrei che fosse già estate. — I wish it were already summer.