Learn Hardcore Italian: Non pensavo tu avessi ragione, ma ora comprendo il tuo punto di vista. - I didn’t think you were right, but now I understand your point of view.

"Pensavo" is the imperfect indicative form of the verb "pensare." This tense is used to describe an ongoing or habitual belief in the past. In this sentence, it shows that the speaker once held a certain opinion (that you were not right), which has changed over time.

Why is the subjunctive mood used in the clause "tu avessi ragione"?

The subjunctive mood appears here because it's used in subordinate clauses following expressions of doubt, uncertainty, or opinion (especially when negated). The negative thought expressed by "Non pensavo" creates a context where the dependent clause requires the subjunctive ("avessi ragione") to reflect that the speaker's belief wasn’t a confirmed fact at the time.

What role does "ma ora" play in the sentence?

"Ma ora" translates to "but now" in English. It serves as a contrastive connector, indicating a shift from the previous belief ("I didn't think you were right") to the current state ("I now understand your point of view"). This contrast highlights that the speaker's perspective has changed over time.

Why is the conjunction che omitted before "tu avessi ragione"?

Although it is very common in Italian to use the conjunction che to introduce a subordinate clause (as in "Non pensavo che tu avessi ragione"), it can be omitted when the subject is explicitly stated and understood. In this case, the omission doesn't affect clarity and is acceptable, particularly in more informal or stylistically flexible contexts.

How does this sentence illustrate the use of different tenses and moods in Italian?

This sentence demonstrates a contrast between past and present states. The imperfect indicative ("pensavo") is used for a past belief or thought, while the imperfect subjunctive ("avessi") reflects uncertainty or a non-factual condition in the past. The shift introduced by "ma ora" leads to the present indicative ("comprendo"), showing that the speaker's understanding has now changed. This layered use of tenses and moods is a key feature of Italian, allowing speakers to express nuanced changes in opinion or perception over time.