Learn Italian: Temo che il delfino non senta bene. - I fear the dolphin doesn't hear well.

Temo che il delfino non senta bene.

I fear the dolphin doesn't hear well.

Breakdown of Temo che il delfino non senta bene.

that (conjunction introducing a clause)

Questions & Answers about Temo che il delfino non senta bene.

Why does this sentence use senta instead of the regular present tense sente?

Because the main clause is Temo che (I fear that). Verbs expressing fear, worry, or emotion require the verb in the following dependent clause to be in the subjunctive mood. Senta is the present subjunctive form of sentire.

How do we form this subjunctive ending for sentire?

For regular -ire verbs, you drop the -ire and add -a for the io, tu, and lui/lei forms. This can be tricky for English speakers because it looks exactly like the indicative (normal) ending for -are verbs! Just remember that in the present subjunctive, regular -ere and -ire verbs swap their usual -e or -i endings for an -a.

The current lesson covers the -isc- infix. Why isn't it sentisca?

While a large group of -ire verbs require the -isc- infix before the ending (like capire becoming capisca or finire becoming finisca), sentire belongs to the group of -ire verbs that do not use it. The ending is attached directly to the root (sent-), making it senta.