59 Conjunctions in Italian & How to Use Them 📚 FREE PDF & Quiz

Imagine you’ve got all these thoughts bouncing around in your head, itching to be put into words, but you’re missing that special something to connect them all together. Well, that’s where conjunctions swoop in to save the day!

Conjunctions are little words like and, but, whereas, or provided that which are the glue that holds words, phrases and clauses together. They’re essential for crafting sentences that make sense. As you can see in their name, the word “conjunction” comes from the Latin verb “coniungere,” which literally means “to join together.”

This guide will walk you through all conjunctions in Italian, with explanations and practical example sentences. Plus, to seal the deal, I’ve included a fun quiz at the end to test what you’ve learned and make sure it’s all clear. But first, make sure to download your free PDF cheat-sheet, which includes all the key points we’ll cover in this guide. Just enter your email below and I’ll send it to you straight away.

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Table to Contents

Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide. Click on any title to jump to each section.

Understanding conjunctions in Italian
- Using coordinating conjunctions in Italian
- Using subordinating conjunctions in Italian
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Understanding conjunctions in Italian

Though tiny and often overlooked, conjunctions are among the most essential elements of the Italian language. Specifically, they serve as function words, existing solely to facilitate connections between different parts of speech.

In the Italian language, conjunctions stand out as the only invariable part of speech along with prepositions, adverbs, and interjections. This means they maintain a single form regardless of context, unlike variable parts like adjectives and articles, which adjust to gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural).

Conjunctions can be either single words (like e – and), compound words (like neanche, derived from “né” + “anche”, meaning “neither”), or expressions composed of distinct terms (like dal momento che, meaning “since”, literally, “from the moment that”).

Here is a complete list of all conjunctions in Italian

e (and)
anche (also)
inoltre (moreover/furthermore)
pure (besides, as well)
né (neither/nor)
nemmeno, neanche, neppure (not even/neither)
o, oppure (or)
altrimenti (otherwise)
ma (but)
però (but)
bensì (but rather)
tuttavia (however)
eppure (yet, nevertheless)
cioè (that is)
ossia (namely)
vale a dire (that is to say)
ovvero (or/that is)
infatti/difatti (indeed)
quindi/perciò/dunque (so/therefore)
pertanto (hence)
allora (then)
o…o (either…or)
sia…sia (both…and)
nè…nè (neither…nor)
non solo…ma anche (not only…but also)
tanto…quanto (as…as)
che (that)
come (just like)
perchè (why)
se (if)
come (how)
quando (when)
quanto (how much)
quando (when, once, as soon as)
mentre (while)
finché (as long as)
prima che (before)
dopo che (after)
ogni volta che/ogni qualvolta (whenever)
perché (because)
poichè (since/because)
siccome (since/as)
dato che/visto che/dal momento che (since/given that)
perchè (so that)
affinché (so that)
In modo che/cosicché (so that)
al fine di / allo scopo di (so that)
al punto che/a tal punto che (to such an extent that)
Tanto/Talmente/Così…che (so…that)
anche se (even if)
nonostante/malgrado (despite)
pur (even though)
per quanto (as much as)
sebbene/benché (although)
se (if)
purché (provided that)
qualora (in case)
nel caso in cui (in the event that)
a patto che (on the condition that)

Italian conjunctions can be categorized into two main groups based on their function: coordinating and subordinating. Within these categories, further distinctions arise based on the logical relationships they facilitate between words and phrases. The table below provide a brief summary before we take a closer look at each type.

Italian Conjunctions by Category
Coordinating conjunctions (they connect two independent elements of equal grammatical type)	Copulative	Positive: e (and), anche (also), inoltre (moreover/furthermore), pure (besides, as well)
	Copulative	Negative: né (neither/nor), nemmeno, neanche, neppure (not even/neither)
	Disjunctive	o (or), oppure (or), altrimenti (otherwise)
	Adversative	ma (but), però (but), bensì (but rather), tuttavia (however), eppure (yet, nevertheless)
	Explicative	cioè (that is), ossia (namely), vale a dire (that is to say), ovvero (or/that is), infatti/difatti (indeed)
	Conclusive	quindi/perciò/dunque (so/therefore), pertanto (hence), allora (then)
	Correlative	o…o (either…or), sia…sia (both…and), nè…nè (neither…nor), non solo…ma anche (not only…but also), tanto…quanto (as…as)
Subordinating conjunctions (they connect dependent clauses to their main clauses)	Declarative	che (that), come (just like)
	Interrogative	perchè (why), se (if), come (how), quando (when), quanto (how much)
	Temporal	quando (when, once, as soon as), mentre (while), finché (as long as), prima che (before), dopo che (after), ogni volta che/ogni qualvolta (whenever)
	Causal	perchè (because), poichè (since/because), siccome (since/as), dato che/visto che/dal momento che (since/given that)
	Final	perchè (so that), affinché (so that), In modo che/cosicché (so that), al fine di, allo scopo di (so that)
	Consecutive	al punto che/a tal punto che (to such an extent that), Tanto/Talmente/Così…che (so…that)
	Concessive	anche se (even if), nonostante/malgrado (despite), pur (even though), per quanto (as much as), sebbene/benché (although)
	Conditional	se (if), purché (provided that), qualora (in case), nel caso in cui (in the event that), a patto che (on the condition that)

Using coordinating conjunctions in Italian

Coordinating conjunctions join two elements with the same grammatical value (two nouns, two adjectives, two sentences, etc.), allowing them to remain independent. More specifically:

They can connect two elements of the same grammatical category within a sentence, such as two nouns, two verbs, or two adjectives. For example:

Non capisco se sei deluso o sorpreso (I don’t understand if you’re disappointed or surprised), where deluso (disappointed) and sorpreso (surprised) are two independent adjectives

They can connect two independent sentence or clauses, for example:

Riccardo cucinava e Paola serviva ai tavoli (Riccardo cooked and Paola served at the tables), where switching the order of the two phrases wouldn’t alter the meaning.

Coordinating conjunctions are classified based on the specific relationship they establish between the connected elements or phrases. These categories are: copulative, disjunctive, adversative, correlative, conclusive, and explicative. Let’s explore each in detail.

Copulative coordinating conjunctions

What they do: bring words or phrases together to give us more information – kind of like putting numbers together in a math problem! They can create both affirmative and negative connections between the elements they join. In affirmative connections, they join two positive statements, while in negative connections, they join two negative statements or indicate a contrast between two ideas. Some common copulative conjunctions in Italian include:

1. E (and)

Role: link elements or phrases, showing that you’re adding information.

Sono andata al museo e ho visto una mostra molto interessante (I went to the museum and saw a very interesting exhibition) – Here, “e” introduces an additional activity the speaker engaged in.

Note: in Italian, especially in writing, e becomes ed when it’s followed by a word starting with “e.” So, for example, you’d say Mario e Alberto, but when it’s Mario ed Enrico, you’d use “ed.” However, though this is the general rule, in everyday Italian people often mix e and ed quite freely.

2. Anche (also)

Role: introduce additional information or reinforce what was already said.

I negozi sono aperti tutti i giorni, anche la domenica (The shops are open every day, including Sunday) – Here, “anche” reinforces the fact that shops are open every single day.

3. Inoltre (moreover/furthermore)

Role: add information or provide additional support for a previous point in a sentence or paragraph.

Non mi va di uscire, inoltre devo ancora finire quella relazione (I don’t feel like going out; besides, I still need to finish that report) – Here, “inoltre” adds to the previous statement about not wanting to go out by introducing another reason, which is the need to finish a report.

4. Pure (besides, as well)

Role: indicate something in addition to what has been mentioned before, often expressing surprise or emphasizing a positive/negative aspect.

La pizza qui è ottima, pure i dolci non sono male (The pizza here is excellent, and the desserts aren’t bad either) – “Pure” emphasizes that in addition to the excellent pizza, the desserts are also noteworthy, possibly surprising the listener with the quality of both.

5. Né (neither, nor)

Role: connect two negative elements or phrases, emphasizing that both are not true or relevant, and also negate two options simultaneously.

Non voglio vederlo né sentirlo (I don’t want to see him or hear from him) – Here, “né” connects the actions of seeing and hearing, indicating a refusal of both.

6. Nemmeno / Neanche / Neppure (not even, neither)

Role: express rejection or exclusion regarding what was previously mentioned, often intensifying the negation introduced by non (not)

Non conosco quel programma, nemmeno guardo la televisione! (I don’t know that show, I don’t even watch TV!) – Here, “nemmeno” emphasizes the speaker’s lack of familiarity with the mentioned program, further reinforced by the statement that they don’t even watch television.

Disjunctive coordinating conjunctions

What they do: link together two or more elements by presenting them as alternatives. Some common disjunctive conjunctions in Italian include:

7. O – oppure (or)

Role: show different options or choices, without implying any preference between them.

Per andare in centro puoi prendere l’autobus oppure la metropolitana (To reach the city center, you can take the bus or the metro.) – Here, “oppure” introduces two alternative means of transportation.

8. Altrimenti (otherwise)

Role: connect two clauses, where the first presents a situation or condition, and the second presents what could happen if that situation or condition isn’t met.

Porta l’ombrello, altrimenti potresti bagnarti (Take an umbrella, otherwise you might get wet) – Here, “altrimenti” introduces the alternative scenario to not taking an umbrella.

Adversative coordinating conjunctions

What they do: establish contrasts or oppositions between the elements they connect, whether total or partial. Some common adversative conjunctions in Italian include:

For total contrast:

9. Ma (but)

Role: introduce a clear contrast to the term or phrase that precedes it. It can only be used at the beginning of the second clause.

Le polpette erano buone, ma un pò insipide (The meatballs were good, but a bit bland) – See how “ma” contrasts the overall goodness of the meatballs with their lack of flavor?

10. Però (but)

Role: introduce a contrast, similar to ma (but). It can be used either at the beginning of the second clause or at the end of it for greater emphasis.

Mi piacerebbe venire, però ho già un impegno (I would like to come, but I already have a commitment) – Here, “però” helps show the clash between the desire to go and the pre-existing commitment.
Non mangio carne, mangio molti legumi però (I don’t eat meat, but I eat a lot of legumes) – Here, “però” at the end places emphasis on the fact that legumes serve as a good alternative despite not eating meat).

Note: while ma però may be heard together in everyday Italian, it is preferable to avoid it. This is because ma and però function similarly and using both together can create redundancy.

11. Bensì (but rather)

Role: introduce a contrasting element that clarifies the preceding statement. It is used only when the first clause is negative.

Non sono arrabbiati, bensì delusi dal tuo comportamento (They are not mad, but rather disappointed by your behavior) – Here “bensì” flips the script on the initial expectation of anger.

For partial contrast:

12. Tuttavia (however)

Role: introduce a contrasting point, a sort of nonsense.

Non conoscevo la lingua, tuttavia sono riuscito a comunicare con la gente del posto (I didn’t know the language, however, I managed to communicate with locals) – Sounds like nonsense, right? Despite not knowing the language, communication was possible.

13. Eppure (yet, nevertheless)

Role: introduce something different compared to what was said before, often emphasizing unexpected outcomes or situations.

Mi ha bocciato, eppure avevo studiato così tanto questa volta! (He failed me, yet I had studied so much this time!) – Here, “eppure” emphasizes the surprise in the unexpected failure.

Explicative coordinating conjunctions

What they do: they help understand things better, provide additional clarity to what has been previously stated. Some common explicative conjunctions in Italian include:

14. Cioè (that is)

Role: help to make something clearer or to say it in a different way.

Il film inizia alle 21:00, cioè esattamente tra un’ora (The movie starts at 9:00 PM, that is, in exactly one hour) – Notice how “cioè” pinpoints the timing?

Note: in Italian, you could see cioè used also as a standalone question meaning, “what does that mean?” or as a filler word like “like” or “well” in English. In this latter case, it’s often shortened to c’è in spoken language (for instance, Sì, c’è, non lo so – Yes, well, I don’t know).

15. Ossia (namely)

Role: introduce more specific information or examples to make things clear, often helping identify particular elements within a broader context.

L’anno prossimo studierò cosmetologia, ossia gli aspetti produttivi dei cosmetici (Next year I’ll study cosmetology, that is to say, the productive aspects of cosmetics) – Here, “ossia” clarifies what exactly the speaker will be studying.

16 Vale a dire (that is to say)

Role: explain something in more detail, often rephrasing or expanding upon a previous statement.

Il divieto riguarda i mezzi di trasporto motorizzati, vale a dire auto, moto e ciclomotori (The ban concerns motorized means of transportation, namely cars, motorcycles, and mopeds) – Here “vale a dire” gives specific examples to clarify what’s meant by motorized transportation.

17. Ovvero (that is)

Role: explain a word or concept mentioned earlier in the sentence.

L’azienda offre due piani tariffari, ovvero uno mensile e uno annuale con il 20% di sconto (The company offers two pricing plans, either monthly or annually with a 20% discount) – See how “ovvero” here explains the different options for customers?

18. Infatti/Difatti (indeed)

Role: emphasize or reinforce the truth of a statement, often introducing additional proof.

Non sono abituata ad andare a letto tardi, infatti oggi sono stanchissima (I’m not used to staying up late, indeed today I’m very tired) – Here “infatti” reinforces the truth of being tired by giving more supporting evidence.

Conclusive coordinating conjunctions

What they do: they connect two words or phrases, with the second expressing the conclusion, consequence, or result of the first. Some common conclusive conjunctions in Italian include:

19. Quindi/Perciò/Dunque (so/therefore)

Role: introduce what logically follows from what was just said. You can use any of these, they all have the same meaning.

Abbiamo raccolto abbastanza fondi per l’evento, quindi/perciò/dunque possiamo procedere con la pianificazione (We have raised enough funds for the event, so we can proceed with the planning) – See how, regardless of the specific term chosen – quindi, perciò, or dunque – all tie the fundraising success to the subsequent planning phase?

20. Pertanto (hence)

Role: signal what happens next based on what we know already, similar to “quindi/perciò/dunque”, though with a slightly formal tone.

Il documento è stato approvato dal comitato, pertanto può essere pubblicato senza ulteriori revisioni (The document has been approved by the committee, hence it can be published without further revisions) – Here, “pertanto” is used to emphasize that the committee’s decision clears the way for publication.

21. Allora (then)

Role: point to what comes next or what you should do based on what was just said.

Se proprio non puoi, allora non voglio insistere (If you really can’t, then I don’t want to push it) – Here, “allora” is a signal for the action that follows the other person’s response.

Correlative coordinating conjunctions

What they do: these conjunctions come in pairs to show the correlation between two phrases or elements within the same sentence. Some common correlative conjunctions in Italian include:

22. O…o (either…or)

Role: present two alternatives or choices, indicating that only one of them can be true or chosen.

O esci con noi o resti a casa, scegli! (Either you come out with us or you stay at home, you choose!) – See how “o…o” here emphasizes the necessity of selecting one option over the other?

23. Sia…sia (both…and)

Role: connect two terms or phrases, showing they’re both important or related – like saying, “not only this, but also that!”

Questo ristorante offre sia piatti italiani sia piatti spagnoli (This restaurant offers both Italian dishes and Spanish dishes) – Here “sia…sia” highlights the variety of the restaurant’s offering.

24. Né…né (neither…nor)

Role: connect two or more alternatives in a negative context, often expressing the absence of two things simultaneously.

Non ho né la voglia né l’energia per uscire stasera (I neither have the desire nor the energy to go out tonight). Here, “né…né” helps clarify that both the desire and energy to go out are equally lacking.

25. Non solo…ma anche (not only…but also)

Role: emphasize that there’s more to consider than just the first thing mentioned.

Il corso ha migliorato non solo le mie competenze linguistiche, ma anche la mia fiducia nel parlare in pubblico (The course not only improved my language skills, but also my confidence in public speaking) – Notice how “non solo…ma anche” here highlights that the course had two equally important impacts.

26. Tanto…quanto (as…as)

Role: used to join two elements to say they’re either equal or very similar.

La questione è tanto complessa quanto interessante – The issue is as complex as it is interesting). Here, “tanto…quanto” suggests that the issue has both qualities to a similar degree.

Using subordinating conjunctions in Italian

Subordinating conjunctions link two clauses, creating a bond of dependency between them. The dependent clause can’t stand on its own and relies on the independent clause to give it purpose and meaning. For example:

Andrò a casa di Laura quando avrò finito i compiti (I’ll go to Laura’s once I’ve finished my homework) – here, “avrò finito i compiti” relies on “Andrò a casa di Laura” to complete its meaning.

The term “subordinating” itself hints at the function of these conjunctions: it comes from the Latin “sub,” meaning “under,” and “odinare,” which translates to “to order,” and that’s precisely what these conjunctions do – they bring one part of the sentence under the influence of the other, establishing a hierarchical structure.

Furthermore, subordinating conjunctions in Italian come in eight different types, depending on what kind of connection they make: declarative, interrogative, temporal, causal, final, consecutive, concessive, and conditional. Let’s take a look at each one.

Declarative subordinating conjunctions

What they do: they help to add more information or give clarity to what’s being said in the main clause. Some common declarative conjunctions in Italian include:

27. Che (that)

Role: introduce a dependent clause that elaborates on the action or idea of the main clause.

Visto? Te l’avevo detto che ce l’avresti fatta! (See? I told you that you could do it!) – See that here, “che” connects the content of what was previously mentioned (“I told you”) and what actually happened (“you could do it”).

Note: Che wears many hats in Italian grammar, including acting as a relative pronoun, interrogative/exclamatory pronoun, or interrogative/exclamatory adjective. Generally, the conjunction “che” is recognizable because it is usually preceded by a verb. However, a helpful trick to identify this role is to try replacing che with il quale/la quale/i quali/le quali (whom). If the substitution makes sense, then che is acting as a pronoun.

28. Come (just like)

Role: introduce a subordinate clause that describes the way in which the action introduced by the main sentence is done.

L’ho fatto come piace a te, con il pomodoro fresco! (I made it just the way you like it, with fresh tomatoes!) – Here, “come” gives more detail about how the action of making it was carried out.

Interrogative subordinating conjunctions

What they do: they introduce a clause expressing an indirect question – whether a doubt, curiosity, or just plain wondering. Some common interrogative conjunctions in Italian include:

29. Perchè (why)

Role: find out the reason behind something.

Vorrei sapere perché è sempre tutto così difficile (I would like to know why everything is always so difficult) – Here, “perchè” is used to seek an explanation for why things are tough.

30. Se (if)

Usage: suggest a condition or possibility, often implying uncertainty or doubt.

Non so se Martina riuscirà ad arrivare in tempo (I’m not sure if Martina will be able to make it on time) – Notice how “se” is used to express doubt about whether Martina will arrive when we expect her to.

31. Come (how)

Role: ask about the way something happens or is done.

Mi domando come tu possa credere più a lui che a me (I wonder how you can believe him more than me) – Here, “come” is used to ask about the emotional reasons behind the listener’s trust in someone else.

32. Quando (when)

Role: find out when something will happen.

Vorrei tanto sapere quando si farà sentire (I would really like to know when he will get in touch) – Here, “quanto” helps us wondering about the moment or occasion when the person in question will make contact.

33. Quanto (how much)

Role: ask about quantity or degree.

Muoio dalla voglia di sapere quanto le è costato quel viaggio (I’m dying to know how much that trip cost her) – Here, “quanto” clearly expresses curiosity about the specific amount of money spent on the journey.

Note: In Italian, these interrogative conjunctions can often be introduced by a preposition, for example: Il suo discorso verte su come affrontare le sfide del futuro (His speech focuses on how to tackle the challenges of the future).

Temporal subordinating conjunctions

What they do: they introduce a clause that tells us the moment or circumstances when the action expressed in the main clause occurs, has occurred, or will occur. Some common temporal conjunctions in Italian include:

34. Quando (when, once, as soon as)

Role: point to a specific time or period when the action in the main clause will happen.

Ti chiamo quando arrivo (I’ll call you when I arrive) – Here, “quando” tells us precisely when the call will happen.

35. Mentre (while)

Role: show an action happening at the same time as the action in the main clause.

Ho ordinato qualcosa da bere mentre ti aspettavo (I ordered something to drink while I was waiting for you) – In this case, “mentre” indicates the simultaneous nature of the two actions (ordering drinks and waiting).

36. Finché (as long as)

Role: set up a temporal condition for the action or situation expressed in the main clause to occur or continue.

Finché la barca va, lasciala andare (As long as the boat is going, let it go) – This line from a famous Italian song by Orietta Berti shows how “finchè” sets the temporal condition for letting the boat go – it has to keep moving.

37. Prima che (before)

Role: indicate a point in time preceding the action in the main clause, often conveying a sense of urgency or necessity.

Torna a casa prima che inizi a piovere! (Get back home before it starts raining!) – See how “prima che” effectively illustrates this usage by showing the urgency to return home before the rain starts.

38. Dopo che (after)

Role: indicate a point in time following the action in the main clause.

Dopo che la squadra ha segnato il gol decisivo, i tifosi hanno festeggiato in delirio (After the team scored the winning goal, the fans celebrated in ecstasy) – Notice how “dopo che” indicates a chronological sequence of events, with the celebration occurring after the scoring of the winning goal.

39. Ogni volta che/Ogni qualvolta (whenever)

Role: suggest that something happens regularly when a condition is met.

Compro sempre qualcosa ogni volta che entro in quel negozietto (I always buy something whenever I enter that little shop) – Here, “ogni volta che” precisely hints at the habit of shopping in that specific store.

Causal subordinating conjunctions

What they do: they help explain why something happens in the main part of the sentence. Some common causal conjunctions in Italian include:

40. Perché (because)

Role: tell us why something is happening or why someone is doing something in the main clause.

Non sono andato al mare perché pioveva (I didn’t go to the beach because it was raining) – Here, “perchè“ explains why the speaker stayed home.

41. Poiché (since/because)

Role: give the reason for something happening, similar to “perché,” but a bit more formal and often used in writing. Also, it’s typically used at the beginning of the sentence.

Poichè pioveva, non sono andato al mare (Because it was raining, I didn’t go to the beach) – Here, “poichè” introduces the reason for not going to the beach.

42. Siccome (since/as)

Role: show why something in the main clause is true or happening.

Siccome non conosce bene la zona, la accompagnerò io domani (Since she doesn’t know the area well, I will accompany her tomorrow) – In this case, “siccome” suggests that her lack of familiarity with the area is why the speaker will accompany her.

43. Dato che/Visto che/Dal momento che (since/given that)

Role: introduce a reason for something that’s seen as a fact and can’t be changed. They’re all interchangeable.

Dato che/Visto che/Dal momento che la macchina è ancora in riparazione, dobbiamo usare i mezzi pubblici (Since the car is still being repaired, we have to use public transportation) – See how, regardless of the choice between the three conjunctions, they all effectively express the reason for having to use public transportation, emphasizing that the car is still being repaired and there are no alternatives.

Final subordinating conjunctions

What they do: they introduce a clause (often with the verb in the subjunctive) that expresses the purpose or aim for which the action of the main clause has been carried out. Some common final conjunctions in Italian include:

44. Perchè (so that)

Role: introduce a subordinate clause that explains the reason or goal behind the action stated in the main clause.

Anna è venuta a trovarci perché potessimo vedere il piccolo Lorenzo (Anna came to visit us so that we could see little Lorenzo) – See how “perchè”clarifies the intention behind Anna’s action, which is to allow the speaker and others to see her child Lorenzo.

45. Affinché (so that)

Role: same as “perchè”, with the only difference being that affinchè is mostly used in formal writing.

Abbiamo introdotto nuove regole di sicurezza affinché il luogo di lavoro sia più sicuro (We have introduced new safety rules so that the workplace is safer) – Here, “affinché”introduces the specific aim behind the implementation of the new rules.

46. In modo che/Cosicché (so that)

Role: indicate a consequence linked to the action of the main clause, not necessarily intended or foreseen.

Ho comprato un ombrello in modo che/cosicché non mi bagnassi in caso di pioggia (I bought an umbrella so that/in order that I wouldn’t get wet in case of rain) – See how “in modo che/cosicché” emphasize the intended consequence of purchasing the umbrella, which is to stay dry during rainy weather.

47. Al fine di, allo scopo di (so that)

Role: denote the purpose or objective behind an action, often employed in more contexts writing to clarify the intended aim or purpose.

Ho preparato una presentazione al fine di/allo scopo di illustrare il piano marketing per il prossimo semestre (I’ve put together a presentation to illustrate our marketing plan for the upcoming semester) – Here, “al fine di, allo scopo di” indicate the specific purpose for which the presentation was prepared.

Consecutive subordinating conjunctions

What they do: they introduce a subordinate clause that expresses the consequence or effect of the action stated in the main clause. In some cases, the first part of the conjunction (such as tanto… che – so…that) may appear in the main clause preceding an adjective or a noun. Some common consecutive conjunctions in Italian include:

48. Al punto che/A tal punto che (to such an extent that)

Role: show the extent or degree to which something occurred or is true, connecting what’s happening with its big effect, and generally emphasizing the intensity or of the situation.

Il traffico in città è aumentato a tal punto che ci vogliono ore per spostarsi da un punto all’altro (The traffic in the city has increased to such an extent that it takes hours to move from one point to another) – Here “al punto che/a tal punto che” really show the significant impact of the traffic situation on travel duration.

49. Tanto/Talmente/Così…che (so…that)

Role: explain how one thing leads to another, often showing what happens as a result of an action or situation described earlier.

Il rumore era tanto/talmente/così forte, che ho dovuto coprirmi le orecchie (The noise was so loud that I had to cover my ears) – Here, “tanto/talmente/così…che” helps to really stress how the loud noise directly caused the need to protect the ears.

Concessive subordinating conjunctions

What they do: They help us show that something is happening, or a fact is true, despite what’s going on in the main part of your sentence. They come in different flavors, each matching with specific verb tenses. Some common concessive conjunctions in Italian include:

50. Anche se (even if)

Role: suggest that despite a certain condition being true, the outcome mentioned in the main clause may still occur. They require the indicative.

Ho continuato a lavorare, anche se ero stanca (I kept on working, even though I was tired) – Here, “anche se” introduces the idea that the speaker continued working despite being tired.

51. Nonostante/Malgrado (despite)

Role: introduce a condition that might hinder the action mentioned in the main clause, but that action still takes place. They are typically followed by the subjunctive, but you can keep it simpler by using a noun instead of a verb. Check out these two examples, saying the same thing:

Nonostante/Malgrado fossi stanca, ho continuato a lavorare (Even though I was tired, I kept on working)
Nonostante/Malgrado la stanchezza, ho continuato a lavorare (Despite the fatigue, I kept on working)

See how in both phrases, “nonostante/malgrado” introduce the obstacle of tiredness, but the main action of working still happens.

52. Pur (even though)

Role: indicate that even though a certain thing or circumstance is true, something still happens. It’s followed by the gerund form of the verb

Pur essendo stanca, ho continuato a lavorare (Even though I was tired, I kept on working) – See that here, too, “pur” helps introduce a condition (being tired) that doesn’t change the action of the main clause (working).

53. Per quanto (as much as)

Role: similar to the other concessive conjunctions, it suggests that even if one thing is true, another thing is still true. It requires the subjective

Per quanto ami viaggiare, devo ammettere che a volte preferisco restare a casa (As much as I love to travel, I must admit that sometimes I prefer to stay at home) – Here, “per quanto” shows the speaker’s love for traveling, despite liking it at home.

54. Sebbene/Benché (although)

Role: it introduces a subordinate clause indicating a condition or circumstance that contrasts with the action of the main clause.

Sebbene/Benché ci fossimo viste solo una volta, è nata subito una bella amicizia (Although we had only met once, a beautiful friendship immediately blossomed) – See how “sebbene/benchè” here shows well the contrast between meeting only once and the quick formation of a beautiful friendship.

Conditional subordinating conjunctions

What they do: they express the idea that one event or condition depends on another event or condition. Some common conditional conjunctions in Italian include:

55. Se (if)

Role: indicate that one thing has to happen for the main clause to be true or valid.

Se mi accompagni, compro subito i biglietti (If you accompany me, I’ll buy the tickets right away) – See how “se” here sets the condition of coming along for buying tickets to happen.

56. Purchè (provided that)

Usage: express that something has to occur for something else to happen. It’s a bit formal, but can usually be replaced with se (if).

Puoi prendere la mia macchina, purché la riporti entro domani (You can take my car, provided that you return it by tomorrow) – Here, “purchè” sets the condition of bringing the car back by tomorrow for borrowing it.

57. Qualora (in case)

Role: talk about something that may or may not happen but is a precautionary measure. It is typically used with the subjunctive.

Qualora avessi qualche domanda, non esitare a contattarmi (In case you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me) – Here “qualora” suggests the possibility of having questions.

58. Nel caso in cui (in the event that)

Role: talk about something that might happen and what to do if it does. It requires the subjunctive.

Nel caso in cui il tuo volo venga cancellato, assicurati di contattare il servizio clienti per un rimborso (In the event that your flight gets canceled, make sure to contact customer service for a refund) – See that “nel caso in cui” points out the possibility of flight cancellation, highlighting what to do if it happens.

59. A patto che (on the condition that)

Role: introduce a condition or requirement that must be met in order for something else to happen or be true. It’s similar to se (if) or purché (provided that), but typically implies a stronger or more explicit condition.

Puoi uscire con gli amici a patto che torni a casa prima di mezzanotte (You can go out with your friends as long as you come back home before midnight) – See how “a patto che” sets the condition (back before midnight) for going out with friends to happen.

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