Question 1

Why is there a ci in ci avessi tenuto if the sentence already states what was cared about (alla nostra etica)?

Accepted Answer

The verb is tenerci, where the ci essentially means 'about it'. Strictly speaking, the ci is supposed to replace the a phrase. However, in spoken and natural Italian, it is extremely common to keep the ci even when explicitly naming the object right after with a. This slight redundancy emphasizes the emotional attachment and is a standard feature of the language.

Question 2

Why use the past perfect subjunctive (avessi tenuto) instead of the imperfect subjunctive (tenessi)?

Accepted Answer

Credevo triggers the subjunctive because it expresses a subjective opinion in the past. If you used tenessi (imperfect), it would mean the caring happened exactly at the same time as the thinking. Using avessi tenuto implies the caring was a state established before the thinking ('I thought you had cared'). English usually translates both simply as 'cared'.

Question 3

Why does this pronominal verb use avere as its helper verb? Shouldn't verbs with pronouns use essere?

Accepted Answer

Usually, yes! Most verbs with attached pronouns (like reflexives) require essere in compound tenses. However, tenerci is an exception to this rule. It simply keeps the auxiliary of its base verb tenere, which is avere. That is why we see tu ci avessi tenuto instead of using a form of essere.

Question 4

Why is etica singular when the English translation says 'ethics'?

Accepted Answer

In Italian, l'etica refers to the overarching concept or moral framework as a single, unified idea, so it is used in the singular. English just happens to use a word ending in 's' for this same singular concept.

Credevo che tu ci avessi tenuto alla nostra etica.

Breakdown of Credevo che tu ci avessi tenuto alla nostra etica.

Questions & Answers about Credevo che tu ci avessi tenuto alla nostra etica.

Learn Credevo che tu ci avessi tenuto alla nostra etica and more in Italian