Breakdown of Se solo questo tormento finisse, dimenticherei l'amarezza!
questo
this (masculine)
finire
to finish
dimenticare
to forget
se
if
solo
only
il tormento
the torment
l'amarezza
the bitterness (f)
Questions & Answers about Se solo questo tormento finisse, dimenticherei l'amarezza!
Why do we use the imperfect subjunctive (finisse) after se solo instead of the present subjunctive?
Se solo (if only) expresses a strong wish or regret. When the wish is about the present or future, something you want to happen but currently isn't happening, you must use the imperfect subjunctive. The present subjunctive is never used with se solo.
This sentence looks exactly like a standard hypothetical 'if' clause. Is that right?
Yes! Even though se solo emphasizes a deep wish, the sentence still perfectly follows the rules of a Type 2 conditional for hypothetical situations. It pairs the imperfect subjunctive in the 'if' clause (se solo... finisse) with the present conditional in the result clause (dimenticherei).
Why is there an 'h' in dimenticherei?
The verb is dimenticare (to forget). Verbs ending in -care and -gare add an h in all forms of the future and present conditional. This keeps the hard 'c' or 'g' sound intact before the letter 'e'.
In English, I might say 'If only this torment would end.' Could I use the conditional of finire in the Italian sentence to match 'would'?
No, you can never use the conditional directly after se or se solo in Italian, even if English uses 'would'. You must always use the imperfect subjunctive (finisse) to express 'if only it ended' or 'if only it would end'.
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