Breakdown of Dopo il terremoto, è importante che tutti mantengano la calma.
essere
to be
importante
important
tutto
everything
che
that (conjunction introducing a clause)
dopo
after
il terremoto
earthquake
mantenere
to maintain / to keep (preserve, support)
la calma
calm (noun)
Questions & Answers about Dopo il terremoto, è importante che tutti mantengano la calma.
Why is mantengano in the subjunctive here?
The phrase è importante che (it is important that) is an impersonal expression showing opinion or necessity. In Italian, these expressions almost always trigger the subjunctive mood in the clause that follows them.
Where does the form mantengano come from?
It is the present subjunctive "they" form of mantenere (to keep/maintain). Because mantenere follows the irregular pattern of tenere (to hold), its subjunctive base is manteng-, making the plural form mantengano.
Why is the verb plural (mantengano) if "everyone" is singular in English?
Why do we say la calma with the article, instead of just calma?
In Italian, abstract nouns like calma (calmness/calm) usually require a definite article when used in a general sense, whereas English leaves it out. The phrase mantenere la calma is the standard way to say "to keep calm".
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