Question 1

Where did the word che (that) go? Shouldn't it be mi auguro che sia vero?

Accepted Answer

You can absolutely say Mi auguro che sia vero. However, with verbs of hoping, believing, or fearing (like augurarsi and ritenere), Italian allows you to drop the conjunction che before a subjunctive verb. This is an elegant stylistic choice that makes the sentence flow more smoothly.

Question 2

Why is it mi auguro instead of just auguro?

Accepted Answer

When you are hoping for a situation to happen in general, you use the reflexive verb augurarsi. The non-reflexive augurare is used when you are wishing something directly to someone else, as in ti auguro buona fortuna (I wish you good luck).

Question 3

Does the verb ritenere always trigger the subjunctive like credere does?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Ritenere means to believe, to maintain, or to consider. Because it expresses a subjective opinion or mental state rather than an objective fact, it triggers the subjunctive sia in the subordinate clause, exactly like credere or pensare.

Question 4

Can I drop che with any verb that takes the subjunctive?

Accepted Answer

No, it is generally limited to verbs expressing hope, fear, and belief (like sperare, temere, credere, ritenere, and augurarsi). You cannot drop che after verbs expressing will, desire, or commands, so you must always say voglio che sia vero, never voglio sia vero.

Mi auguro sia vero, ma ritengo sia falso.

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