Se (if) followed by the past perfect subjunctive
Reminder: se (if) is used to express a hypothesis or a condition.
Se non rientri in orario, chiamo la polizia. (se + presente o futuro → presente o futuro)
If you don't get home on time, I'm calling the police. (se + simple present / future → simple present / future)
Se non rientrassi in orario, chiamerei la polizia. (se + congiuntivo imperfetto → modo condizionale)
If you didn't come home on time, I'd call the police. (se + imperfect subjunctive → conditional)
The construction se (if) + past perfect subjunctive + past conditional is used when imagining the consequences in the past of something that didn't happen.
Se fossi uscito in orario, non avrei perso il treno. (sottinteso: Sono uscito in ritardo e ho perso il treno.)
If I'd left on time, I wouldn't have missed the train (implied: I left late and I missed the train).
Se avesse fatto caldo, sarei uscito. (sottinteso: Non ha fatto caldo e non sono uscito.)
If it had been warm out, I'd have gone out (implied: it wasn't warm out and I didn't go out).
The construction se (if) + past perfect subjunctive + present conditional is used when imagining the present consequences of something that didn't happen.
Se non avesse piovuto, non avrei i capelli bagnati. (sottinteso: Ha piovuto e ora ho i capelli bagnati.)
If it hadn't rained, I wouldn't have wet hair (implied: it rained and now my hair is wet).
Still facing difficulties with 'Se (if) followed by the past perfect subjunctive'? Enhance your grammar and learn Italian through our online Italian lessons.
Start with a free test and improve today!
What our users say:
Improve your Italian further and test Saga Baldoria, online Italian course.