Breakdown of Credevo che la fata e l'angelo vivessero nel cielo.
e
and
il cielo
the sky
nel
in the (in + il) / while / upon (doing something)
credere
to believe
che
that (conjunction introducing a clause)
vivere
to live (life), to be alive
la fata
the fairy
l'angelo
the angel (m)
Questions & Answers about Credevo che la fata e l'angelo vivessero nel cielo.
Why do we use vivessero instead of the present subjunctive vivano?
Since the main verb (credevo) is a verb of belief, it triggers the subjunctive. Because credevo is in a past tense, the sequence of tenses requires us to use a past-tense subjunctive. To show that the living happened at the same time as the believing, we use the imperfect subjunctive (vivessero).
What if angels and fairies still live in the sky today? Would we still use vivessero?
Yes! Italian grammar has a very strict sequence of tenses. If the main clause is in the past (credevo), any simultaneous action in the subordinate clause must use the imperfect subjunctive, even if the statement is a general fact or still true in the present.
Could I just say credevo che vivevano?
In spoken, informal Italian, you will sometimes hear native speakers use the imperfect indicative (vivevano) instead of the subjunctive after credevo. However, the grammatically correct form taught at this level and required in writing is the imperfect subjunctive (vivessero).
Why use nel cielo instead of just in cielo?
Both are correct, but they have a slightly different feel. In cielo is a fixed phrase that often means in heaven or refers to the sky abstractly. Nel cielo uses the articulated preposition (in + il) and treats the sky more like a specific, physical place where these magical creatures reside.
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