Modern Italian Grammar: A Practical Guide, Third Edition (2013)
Appendix V. Sequence of tenses
This is a simplified schematic outline of the ‘sequence of tenses’ between a main and a dependent clause. Here we indicate only the most common combinations of main verbs and dependent verbs.
The first table below shows combinations where the dependent verb is mainly in the indicative mood, while the second table shows combinations where the dependent verb is mainly in the subjunctive mood.
In each of the two tables, the combinations are determined by the tense of the verb in the main clause: present tense, past tense, future tense.
Finally for each of these main verb tenses, three time contexts are considered: same time context, earlier time context, later time context.
The sequence of tenses is explained in greater depth, along with examples, in 30.5.
Dependent verbs in the indicative
After a main verb such as dire, the dependent clause is normally in the indicative mood. If, however, there is any doubt or uncertainty, or a condition is implied, the conditional mood can be used in its place.
Time context |
Main verb in present tense |
Verb in dependent clause |
Same (an event or act happening at the time of speaking or writing) |
Marco dice |
Present indicative |
che tu sei brava. |
||
Marco dice |
Present conditional |
|
che tu verresti con noi. |
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Earlier (an event or act happening in the past in relation to the time of speaking or writing) |
Marco dice |
Perfect indicative |
che tu sei venuto. |
||
Marco dice |
Imperfect indicative |
|
che tu venivi spesso. |
||
Later (an event or act happening in the future in relation to the time of speaking or writing) |
Marco dice |
Present indicative |
che tu vieni stasera. |
||
Marco dice |
Future indicative |
|
che tu verrai stasera. |
||
Marco dice |
Present conditional |
|
che tu verresti stasera. |
Time context |
Main verb in past tense |
Verb in dependent clause |
Same (an event or act happening at the time of speaking or writing) |
Marco ha detto / diceva |
Present indicative |
che tu insegni italiano. |
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Marco ha detto / diceva |
Imperfect indicative |
|
che tu insegnavi italiano |
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Earlier (an event or act happening in the past in relation to the time of speaking or writing) |
Marco ha detto / diceva |
Pluperfect indicative |
che eri venuto. |
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Later (an event or act happening in the future in relation to the time of speaking or writing) |
Marco ha detto / diceva |
Future indicative |
che verrà domani sera. |
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Marco ha detto / diceva |
Past conditional |
|
che avrebbe finito alle 5.00. |
Time context |
Main verb in future tense |
Verb in dependent clause |
Same (an event or act happening at the time of speaking or writing) |
Gli dirò |
Present indicative |
che tu vieni tutti l giorni in ufficio. |
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Earlier (an event or act happening in the past in relation to the time of speaking or writing) |
Gli dirò |
Perfect indicative |
che noi abbiamo già mangiato. |
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Gli dirò |
Imperfect |
|
che stavi male. |
||
Later (an event or act happening in the future in relation to the time of speaking or writing) |
Gli dirò |
Future indicative |
che tu verrai domani. |
Dependent verbs in the subjunctive
After a main verb such as credere, pensare, sembra, the dependent clause is normally in the subjunctive mood, to express doubt or uncertainty. If there is less doubt or uncertainty, the conditional mood can be used instead. When the action referred to is in the future, either the present subjunctive is used or the future indicative, since the subjunctive has no future tense.
Time context |
Main verb in present tense (present indicative, present conditional) |
Verb in dependent clause |
Same (an event or act happening at the time of speaking or writing) |
Pensa |
Present subjunctive |
che tu sia brava. |
||
Vorrei |
Present conditional |
|
che tu fossi qui con me. |
||
Earlier (an event or act happening in the past in relation to the time of speaking or writing) |
Pensa |
Past subjunctive |
che tu sia venuto. |
||
Pensa |
Imperfect subjunctive |
|
che tu studiassi poco. |
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Later (an event or act happening in the future in relation to the time of speaking or writing) |
Pensa |
Future indicative |
che tu verrai stasera. |
||
Pensa |
Present subjunctive |
|
che Marco accetti il posto. |
Time context |
Main verb in past tense (imperfect, perfect, past definite, pluperfect) |
Verb in dependent clause |
Same (an event or act happening at the time of speaking or writing) |
Pensava / ha pensato / pensò / aveva pensato |
Imperfect subjunctive |
che tu avessi una casa molto grande. |
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Earlier (an event or act happening in the past in relation to the time of speaking or writing) |
Pensava / ha pensato |
Pluperfect subjunctive |
che tu fossi venuto. |
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Later (an event or act happening in the future in relation to the time of speaking or writing) |
Pensava /ha pensato |
Past conditional |
che sarebbe venuto anche tuo marito. |
||
Pensava / ha pensato |
Imperfect indicative (replacing past conditional in informal speech only) |
|
che veniva anche tuo marito. |
Time context |
Main verb in future tense (future indicative) |
Verb in dependent clause |
Same (an event or act happening at the time of speaking or writing) |
Penserà |
Present subjunctive |
che tu venga tutti i giorni in ufficio. |
||
Earlier (an event or act happening in the past in relation to the time of speaking or writing) |
Penserà |
Perfect subjunctive |
che tu sia venuta solo per vederlo. |
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Later (an event or act happening in the future in relation to the time of speaking or writing) |
Penserà |
Future indicative |
che partiremo domani in treno. |
||
Penserà |
Present subjunctive |
|
che tu venga domani. |