Sequence of Tenses in the Past
When you talk about what you used to believe, think, or hope, the main verb is usually in a past tense like the imperfetto (e.g., pensavo, credevo, ero convinto).
Because these verbs express subjective thoughts and feelings, they trigger the subjunctive in the following clause. To show that the subordinate action happened at the same time as the past main verb, Italian grammar rules (concordanza dei tempi) require you to use the imperfect subjunctive (congiuntivo imperfetto).
Formula: Past Tense Trigger + che + Imperfect Subjunctive
| I was convinced that the monster was hiding under the bed. | Ero convinto che il mostro si nascondesse sotto il letto. |
| Since I was afraid, I thought that the shadow was a monster. | Siccome avevo paura, pensavo che l'ombra fosse un mostro. |
Childhood Myths and Make-Believe
This sequence of tenses is perfect for recounting childhood games, legends, or misconceptions. Verbs like credere (to believe) and fingere (to pretend) all follow this pattern when conjugated in the past.
| I believed that the fairy and the angel lived in the sky. | Credevo che la fata e l'angelo vivessero nel cielo. |
| We pretended that the shadow was the most dangerous dragon in the woods. | Fingevamo che l'ombra fosse il drago più pericoloso del bosco. |
Past Actions with "Prima che"
Certain conjunctions, like prima che (before), always require the subjunctive. Just like with verbs of belief, if the main action takes place in the past, the verb immediately following prima che shifts into the imperfect subjunctive.
| I believed in the legend before he explained the truth to me. | Credevo alla leggenda prima che lui mi spiegasse la verità. |
| The children fell asleep before the fairy tale ended. | I bambini si sono addormentati prima che la favola finisse. |
