Breakdown of Se fosse più preciso, avrebbe segnato.
essere
to be
avere
to have
se
if
più
more / anymore (with 'non')
segnare
to score
preciso
precise / exact
Questions & Answers about Se fosse più preciso, avrebbe segnato.
Why do we use the imperfect subjunctive (fosse) with the past conditional (avrebbe segnato)?
This is a mixed conditional. We use it because the timeframe of the condition and the result are different. The condition (se fosse più preciso) is a general, ongoing truth: he is generally not a precise person. The result (avrebbe segnato), however, refers to a specific missed event in the past.
What would it mean if I said Se fosse stato più preciso instead?
That would be a standard Type 3 conditional (past condition, past result). Se fosse stato più preciso means "If he had been more precise" referring to that specific moment in the past. Using se fosse instead tells us that his lack of precision is a general, ongoing character trait.
Why doesn't the ending of segnato change to match the subject?
Does the grammar change if I flip the order of the sentence?
No. You can say Avrebbe segnato se fosse più preciso with no change in meaning. The word se triggers the subjunctive mood here, so fosse stays attached to the se clause no matter which half of the sentence comes first.
Learn Se fosse più preciso, avrebbe segnato 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