Question 1

Since the current lesson is about omitting 'che', can I drop it here and say 'Ho il presentimento le aspettative siano...'?

Accepted Answer

Usually, no. The optional omission of che before a subjunctive clause applies almost exclusively directly after verbs of thinking, hoping, or fearing (like credo, spero, or temo). Because this sentence uses a noun phrase (il presentimento) to trigger the clause, dropping che sounds unnatural. You should keep it here.

Question 2

Why is 'siano' in the subjunctive instead of the indicative 'sono'?

Accepted Answer

The phrase avere il presentimento che (to have a premonition or feeling that) introduces a personal perception, doubt, or an unverified idea. Just like the verb credere (to believe), this kind of subjective noun phrase requires the subjunctive mood in the following clause.

Question 3

The subject 'le aspettative' is feminine plural, so why is it 'troppo alte' instead of 'troppe alte'?

Accepted Answer

In this sentence, troppo is an adverb modifying the adjective alte, meaning 'too high'. Adverbs are invariable in Italian, so they never change their endings. You would only change the ending if troppo were an adjective modifying a noun directly, such as troppe aspettative (too many expectations).

Question 4

Can 'aspettative' be used for physical waiting, like expectations for a train's arrival?

Accepted Answer

No, le aspettative refers to hopes, standards, or beliefs about how things will turn out. If you are talking about the physical act of waiting or the time spent waiting, you would use l'attesa instead.

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