Modern Italian Grammar: A Practical Guide, Third Edition (2013)

Part B. Functions

IV. Putting in context

39. Expressing reservation, exception and concession

39.1 Introduction

In this chapter, we look at sentences expressing exception (a fact or circumstance that is true except for a particular detail), reservation (an event or action which will take place unless a particular circumstance prevents it) and concession (an event or action that takes place, although there are adverse circumstances or despite problems).

39.2 Expressing reservation or exception

39.2.1 Conjunctions or phrases expressing reservation or exception

You can express reservation or exception in Italian by using a conjunction or phrase followed by che and a dependent clause, by a verb infinitive or, in some cases, by a noun. Conjunctions and phrases expressing reservation or exception are shown below. Many of these can also have the function of a preposition and can be followed by a verb infinitive.

39.2.2 Using a conjunction followed by che and a dependent clause

The phrases or conjunctions above introduce a dependent clause; the verb can be in the indicative (see 2.2.2) or the subjunctive (see 2.2.14).

The indicative expresses a reality rather than a possibility:

Avrei piacere di accompagnarti, se non che ho un appuntamento.

I would happily go with you, except that I have an appointment.

È tutto pronto per la cena, eccetto che non sono ancora arrivati gli ospiti.

Everything is ready for dinner, except that the guests haven't arrived yet.

The subjunctive expresses something which may or may not happen or have happened:

II Ministro non darà le dimissioni, tranne che il Presidente del Consiglio non lo costringa a farlo.

The Minister won't resign unless the Prime Minister forces him to do so.

Le persone difficilmente cambiano salvo che siano costrette a farlo dalla legge.

People rarely ever change except when they are forced to do so by the law.

Dobbiamo spedire le lettere, salvo che non le abbia già spedite la segretaria.

We have to send the letters, unless the secretary has already sent them.

La settimana prossima verrò a Napoli, eccetto che ci sia sciopero dei treni!

Next week I'll come to Naples, unless there is a train strike!

A meno che is always followed by non and can be translated either as ‘unless’ (when followed by an affirmative statement) or ‘as long as’ (when followed by a negative statement):

I bambini non mangiano la carne a meno che non abbiano molta fame.

The children won't eat meat unless they are really hungry.

Domani mangiamo all'aperto a meno che non piova.

Tomorrow we will eat in the open air as long as it doesn't rain.

39.2.3 Using a preposition followed by a verb infinitive

Four of the conjunctions seen in 39.2.1 above, eccetto, fuorché, salvo, tranne, can also be used as prepositions followed by a verb infinitive. The most common of these is tranne:

Fanno tutto al rallentatore, eccetto guidare!

They do everything in slow motion except driving!

Lei fa tutto fuorché aiutarmi.

She does everything except help me.

Non è mai possibile evitare completamente il rischio di valanghe salvo rinunciare al piacere delle sciate fuori pista.

It's never possible to avoid the risk of avalanches completely without giving up the pleasure of skiing off-piste.

Chiedetemi qualsiasi cosa, tranne cantare!

Ask me anything, but don't ask me to sing!

39.2.4 Using a preposition followed by a noun or pronoun

The same four prepositions (eccetto, fuorché, salvo, tranne) can also be followed by a noun (object or person) or pronoun.

Eccetto is often followed by per:

La regola vale per tutti, eccetto per i minorenni.

The rule applies to everyone, except for minors.

Il viaggio era molto rilassante eccetto per il comportamento dei bambini.

The journey was very relaxing except for the behaviour of the children.

Eccetto can be replaced by fatta eccezione:

La regola vale per tutti, fatta eccezione per i minorenni.

The rule applies to everyone with the exception of minors.

“Tutto è perduto fuorché l'amore” è il titolo di un romanzo di Francesca Colosi.

‘All is lost except love’ is the title of a novel by Francesca Colosi.

Salvo often implies an unforeseen or unexpected consequence, something that is unlikely to happen. It is also often used in contracts or legal documents.

salvo errori e omissioni

save for errors and omissions (phrase found in contracts)

La merce arriverà domani salvo imprevisti.

The goods will arrive tomorrow, barring any unforeseen problems.

Tranne is probably the most common of all these expressions:

Non ho mangiato niente tranne quello che mi hai preparato tu.

I haven't eaten anything except what you made for me.

39.3 Modifying a statement by concession

39.3.1 Introduction

Using a clause or phrase of concession means that you are conceding the existence of a possible factor which can alter circumstances, but saying that the event or action expressed in the main clause will take place despite it:

Per quanto tu possa lamentarti, non cambierai niente.

However much you complain, you won't change anything.

There are several ways in which a statement can be modified by an expression of concession in Italian (English ‘although, despite, even if’): some are explicit, some are implicit (in other words the idea of concession is understood or implied from the context, even without a specific conjunction being used).

39.3.2 Using a conjunction

Clauses of concession are often introduced by a conjunction or phrase such as:

Generally, these conjunctions are followed by the subjunctive:

Benché fosse tardi, voleva presentarmi tutti i suoi amici e parenti.

Although it was late, he wanted to introduce me to all his friends and relatives.

Malgrado la segretaria abbia lavorato fino alle 8.00 di sera, non è riuscita a completare la relazione.

Despite the secretary having worked until 8 pm in the evening, she wasn't able to finish the report.

Quantunque fosse preparato Marco, l'esame di guida si è rivelato più difficile di quanto si aspettasse.

However well prepared Marco was, the driving test turned out to be more difficult than he expected.

Sebbene non avessimo dormito tutta la notte, abbiamo deciso di andare a fare una passeggiata lungo il mare.

Although we had not slept all night, we decided to go for a walk along the seafront.

Very occasionally nonostante is followed by che:

Nonostante (che) sia piccolo, ha già cominciato a studiare il violino.

Despite being young, he has already begun to study the violin.

Anche se can be followed by either indicative or subjunctive (imperfect or pluperfect subjunctive only), depending on how likely or unlikely the situation is:

Likely:

Anche se tu sei la mia migliore amica, ci sono delle cose che non ti potrò mai raccontare.

Even though you are my best friend, there are some things that I can never tell you.

Unlikely:

Anche se fosse l'ultimo uomo su questa terra, non accetterei di uscire con lui.

Even if he were the last man on earth, I wouldn't agree to go out with him.

Con tutto che is usually followed by the indicative:

Con tutto che aveva da fare 200 chilometri in macchina, ha voluto accompagnarmi prima all'aeroporto.

Despite the fact that she had 200 km to drive, she wanted to take me to the airport first.

39.3.3 Using a preposition

Malgrado, nonostante can also be used as prepositions followed by a noun:

Malgrado la nostra esperienza, torneremo in Calabria l'anno prossimo.

Despite our experience, we will go back to Calabria next year.

Se si votasse ora, dicono gli ultimi sondaggi pubblicati, il presidente americano vincerebbe nonostante tutto.

If people were to vote now, according to the latest surveys published, the American president would win despite everything.

Nonostante i suoi difetti la LionAir è la compagnia aerea inglese più importante.

Despite its faults, LionAir is the most important English airline.

39.3.4 Using the construction per… che

The combination of an adjective with per … che is followed by a dependent clause with a verb in the subjunctive:

Per intelligente che sia, non è stato promosso.

Bright though he is, he didn't pass his exams.

Casa mia, casa mia, per piccina che tu sia, tu mi sembri una badia.

Home sweet home, however small you are, to me you seem like a fortress.

(Italian saying)

A similar construction is possible with a verb, although less common (see also 39.3.8 below):

Per studiare che lei faccia, sarà bocciata agli esami.

However she studies, she will fail the exams.

39.3.5 Using chiunque, qualunque, qualsiasi

Indefinite adjectives and pronouns (see 3.9), such as chiunque ‘whoever’, qualunque ‘whichever’ and qualsiasi ‘whatever’, can introduce a concessive clause and are followed by the subjunctive:

Non dire niente, chiunque ti chieda informazioni.

Don't say anything, whoever asks you for information.

Qualunque risultato si ottenga, val la pena di provare.

Whatever result is achieved, it is worth trying.

Qualsiasi cosa io dico, mi dai sempre torto.

Whatever I say, you always say I'm wrong.

39.3.6 Using a past participle or adjective

A past participle or an adjective alone can have a concessive meaning, as shown below:

Nata in Inghilterra, Giuseppina si sentiva tuttavia italiana al cento per cento.

(Although) born in England, Giuseppina however felt 100 per cent Italian.

Benché, anche se, sebbene can be added to reinforce the meaning:

Anche se malato, volle partecipare alla gara.

Even though (he was) ill, he wanted to take part in the competition.

Benché invecchiato un po', era ancora molto in forma.

Although (he had) aged a little, he was still very fit.

39.3.7 Using a gerund: pur essendo, pur avendo

Where the subject of the concessive clause is the same as that of the main verb, a gerund — normally present — can be used, preceded by pur ‘although’:

Pur avendo pochi clienti, la commessa ci ha messo mezz'ora a servirmi.

Although she had few customers, the shop assistant took half an hour to serve me.

Pur volendo aiutarmi, mio padre non era in grado di finanziare i miei studi.

Although wanting to help me, my father was unable to finance my studies.

39.3.8 Using the construction per essere, per avere

The construction per essere or per avere can be used only where the grammatical subject is the same for both verbs:

Per essere così giovane, è proprio in gamba.

Considering he's so young, he's really on the ball.

Per aver studiato l'italiano cinque anni, non lo parla tanto bene.

Considering he has studied Italian for five years, he doesn't speak it so well.

39.3.9 Using the phrase a costo di

This means ‘even at the cost of’:

All'età di 75 anni, insistè per fare un'ultima scalata del Monte Bianco a costo di rimetterci la pelle.

At the age of 75, he insisted on making a last ascent of Mont Blanc even at the cost of losing his life.

39.3.10 Using manco a, neanche, nemmeno, neppure a

These negative expressions can be followed by se and a verb (subjunctive) or by a and then the infinitive. This construction can only be used when the main clause is a negative statement.

Manco a fare la coda per 24 ore, non si trovano i biglietti per quel concerto.

Not even if one queues for 24 hours, can one get tickets for that concert.

Io non lo farei, neanche se tu mi pagassi.

I wouldn't do it, not even if you paid me.

Nemmeno a volerlo, non riuscirei a mangiare le lumache.

I couldn't eat snails even if I wanted to.

39.3.11 Using tuttavia, nondimeno

Often the idea that the event will go ahead anyway is reinforced by the addition of the adverbs tuttavia ‘however’ or nondimeno ‘nonetheless’ in the main clause:

Sebbene stanchi, volevamo tuttavia andare a vedere il centro.

Although tired, we wanted however to go and see the centre.