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Avevo paura che la spia avesse scoperto il complotto.

Avevo paura che la spia avesse scoperto il complotto.
I was afraid that the spy had discovered the plot.
From Lesson 293:Sequence of tenses with the pluperfect subjunctive·Italian

Questions & Answers about Avevo paura che la spia avesse scoperto il complotto.

Why do we use the pluperfect subjunctive (avesse scoperto) in this sentence?
The main clause (Avevo paura) is in a past tense and expresses an emotion, which triggers the subjunctive in the second part of the sentence. Because the spy discovering the plot happened before you were afraid, we use the pluperfect subjunctive to show that this action was already completed in the past.
How exactly is avesse scoperto formed?
It is formed using the imperfect subjunctive of the helper verb (avere, which becomes avesse for the third-person singular) plus the past participle of the main verb (scoperto).
Why doesn't paura have an article before it, like la paura?
In Italian, physical sensations and emotions are often expressed using the verb avere (to have) followed directly by a noun, with no article. Just like avere fame (to be hungry) or avere freddo (to be cold), you simply use avere paura to mean to be afraid.
Is scoperto an irregular past participle?
Yes. The infinitive verb is scoprire (to discover). It follows the same irregular pattern as aprire (to open), which has the past participle aperto. Therefore, scoprire becomes scoperto.

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