Breakdown of L'alieno voleva che modificassimo l'astronave.
volere
to want
l'astronave
the spaceship (f)
che
that (conjunction introducing a clause)
l'alieno
the alien (m)
modificare
to modify
Questions & Answers about L'alieno voleva che modificassimo l'astronave.
Why do we use the imperfect subjunctive modificassimo here instead of the present subjunctive?
The main verb voleva is in a past tense (the imperfect). When a verb that expresses a desire or wish is in the past tense, it forces the following verb to use the imperfect subjunctive to keep the timelines matched.
How is modificassimo formed from the infinitive modificare?
To form the imperfect subjunctive for regular -are verbs, you drop the -are and attach the new endings. For the noi (we) form, the ending is -assimo, which gives us modificassimo.
English says "wanted us to modify". Why can't we use an object pronoun and an infinitive in Italian?
When the person wanting the action (the alien) is different from the people doing the action (us), Italian requires a whole new clause. You must use che (that) plus a conjugated verb in the subjunctive mood, rather than an infinitive.
Learn L'alieno voleva che modificassimo l'astronave and more in Italian
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free