Present Subjunctive of -ere and -ire Verbs
In the previous lesson, you learned that -are verbs take an -i ending for their singular forms in the present subjunctive. For both -ere and -ire verbs, the pattern is flipped: the singular endings all use -a.
To conjugate regular -ere and -ire verbs in the present subjunctive, drop the infinitive ending and add these suffixes:
| Pronoun | Ending | Example (leggere) | Example (dormire) |
|---|
| io | -a | legga | dorma |
| tu | -a | legga | dorma |
| lui/lei | -a | legga | dorma |
| noi | -iamo | leggiamo | dormiamo |
| voi | -iate | leggiate | dormiate |
| loro | -ano | leggano | dormano |
Notice that the noi and voi endings (-iamo and -iate) are exactly the same across all verb groups, regardless of whether they end in -are, -ere, or -ire.
You will use these forms after triggers that express desires, doubts, or fears, such as temere (to fear).
The -isc- Infix in the Subjunctive
Many common -ire verbs—such as capire (to understand), finire (to finish), and reagire (to react)—require an -isc- infix in the present indicative. This spelling change carries over to the present subjunctive.
For these verbs, insert -isc- right before the subjunctive ending in the io, tu, lui/lei, and loro forms. Just like in the indicative mood, the noi and voi forms do not use the infix.
- io -isca (capisca)
- tu -isca (capisca)
- lui/lei -isca (capisca)
- noi -iamo (capiamo)
- voi -iate (capiate)
- loro -iscano (capiscano)
