Present subjunctive of irregular verbs (vada, faccia, dia)

Many of the most common verbs in Italian are irregular in the present subjunctive. Just like with essere and avere, the singular forms (io, tu, and lui/lei) share the exact same conjugation.

Here are the present subjunctive forms for andare (to go), fare (to do/make), and dare (to give):

Pronounandarefaredare
io, tu, lui/leivadafacciadia
noiandiamofacciamodiamo
voiandiatefacciatediate
lorovadanofaccianodiano

You will frequently use these verbs after phrases that express hopes (spero che), desires (voglio che), or necessity (bisogna che). Let's see them in action on the stage:

I think the actor is going on stage now.
Penso che l'attore vada sul palcoscenico adesso.
I want you to play this character.
Voglio che tu faccia questo personaggio.
I hope you give a soul to the character you play.
Spero che tu dia un'anima al personaggio che interpreti.

Because the io, tu, and lui/lei forms are identical, include the subject pronoun (like tu in the previous examples) if it isn't obvious who is doing the action. If the subject is a specific noun (like an actor or the show itself), a pronoun isn't needed:

Do you think the show will go well tonight?
Pensi che lo spettacolo vada bene stasera?
You need to give a lot of energy to this character.
Bisogna che tu dia molta energia a questo personaggio.
I want the makeup artist to do a good job.
Voglio che il truccatore faccia un buon lavoro.
I hope she gives him the script to prompt the line.
Spero che lei gli dia il copione per suggerire la battuta.

Contributors