The Imperfect Subjunctive

The Congiuntivo Imperfetto is typically used when the verb in the main clause (expressing doubt, wish, or emotion) is in a past tense (such as Imperfetto, Passato Prossimo, Passato Remoto) or in the Condizionale. It indicates that the action in the subordinate clause happened at the same time as or after the past main clause.

Regular Verb Endings

The endings are characteristic and contain a double "s" in almost all forms:

• -are (parlare): parlassi, parlassi, parlasse, parlassimo, parlaste, parlassero
• -ere (credere): credessi, credessi, credesse, credessimo, credeste, credessero
• -ire (sentire): sentissi, sentissi, sentisse, sentissimo, sentiste, sentissero

Special Uses

It is also commonly used after expressions like come se (as if) or magari (if only) to express a wish that is unlikely to come true.