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Literal Translation of “Should” and “Would”

  • Writer: Italiano4you
    Italiano4you
  • Jun 19, 2024
  • 1 min read

Intermediate learners often translate English modal verbs directly.


For example:

Io dovrei andare se avevo tempo.But the conditional and imperfect must agree properly:

Dovrei andare se avessi tempo.


This is the periodo ipotetico (hypothetical structure).


Why It’s Advanced


English conditional structures are simpler in daily speech.Italian requires agreement between:

  • Conditional in the main clause

  • Imperfect subjunctive in the subordinate clause


Structure:

Condizionale + congiuntivo imperfetto


  • Andrei se potessi.

  • Comprerei la casa se avessi soldi.


Grammar Hint


If the condition is unlikely or hypothetical, you need the imperfect subjunctive.

This structure instantly makes your Italian sound advanced.


If you want to finally feel confident with hypotheticals, we break them down step by step in lessons.


👉 Book your Italian lesson and gain control over complex sentences.

 
 
 

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