Question 1

Why is funzioni in the subjunctive here instead of the normal present tense?

Accepted Answer

The verb spera (from sperare, to hope) expresses a desire. In Italian, verbs of hope, wish, or desire trigger the subjunctive mood in the following clause whenever the subject changes. Here, the vet is doing the hoping, but the treatment is doing the working.

Question 2

Why does funzioni end in -i? Isn't funzionare an -are verb?

Accepted Answer

Yes, funzionare is an -are verb. In the present subjunctive, the vowel endings swap: -are verbs take an -i ending for all singular forms (io, tu, lui/lei). So, che la cura funzioni is the correct third-person singular form.

Question 3

In English we say "The vet hopes the treatment works". Can we leave out the che in Italian?

Accepted Answer

No, unlike in English where the word "that" is often skipped, you cannot drop che in Italian when linking a main clause to a subjunctive clause. You must always include it.

Question 4

Why use funzioni for "works" instead of lavori?

Accepted Answer

In Italian, lavorare is only used when a person or animal is physically or mentally doing a job. When talking about a machine, a system, or a treatment being effective or operating correctly, you must use funzionare (to function).

Question 5

What if the vet hoped that he himself would succeed? Would we still use che + subjunctive?

Accepted Answer

No. If the subject of both verbs is the exact same person, you do not use che and the subjunctive. Instead, you use di plus the infinitive verb. For example, "The vet hopes to succeed" would be Il veterinario spera di avere successo.

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