Breakdown of Torniamo a patto che abbiano controllato l'ufficio.
avere
to have
tornare
to return
controllare
to check
l'ufficio
the office
Questions & Answers about Torniamo a patto che abbiano controllato l'ufficio.
What does a patto che mean in this sentence?
A patto che means provided that, on condition that, or as long as.
It introduces a condition that must be met. So the sentence is saying that we return only if that condition is satisfied.
Similar expressions are:
- a condizione che = on condition that
- purché = provided that / as long as
All of these normally trigger the subjunctive.
Why is abbiano controllato in the subjunctive?
Because a patto che is one of the expressions that normally requires the subjunctive in Italian.
So after a patto che, Italian uses:
- abbiano controllato = present perfect subjunctive / more commonly called passato congiuntivo
Compare:
- So che hanno controllato l'ufficio. = I know they checked the office.
- Here you use the indicative because it is presented as a fact.
- Torniamo a patto che abbiano controllato l'ufficio. = We return provided that they have checked the office.
- Here it is a condition, so the subjunctive is used.
Why is it abbiano controllato and not just controllino?