Infinitive vs 'che' + subjunctive - Italian Grammar

Infinitive vs. che + subjunctive in Italian — When to use which

What this article explains

This guide compares two common ways to make subordinate statements in Italian: the infinitive (infinito) and a finite clause introduced by che + the subjunctive (congiuntivo). You will learn the basic rule that decides which form to use, the typical verbs and expressions for each choice, how to form the subjunctive tenses you will need, and the most common learner mistakes. Examples are given mainly in Italian with English translations.

Quick one-sentence rule

If the subject of the subordinate action is the same as the main clause subject, use the infinitive (often with di or a). If the subordinate clause has a different subject or the speaker needs to show will, doubt, emotion, necessity or possibility about the other subject, use che + the subjunctive.

When do I use the infinitive (infinito)?

Main situations for the infinitive

Same-subject constructions: When the subject of the main clause and the subordinate action are the same person or thing, Italian often uses the infinitive (usually introduced by a preposition such as di or a, or with no preposition after modal verbs).
Examples:
"Voglio partire." (I want to leave.) — same subject (I).
"Spero di arrivare in tempo." (I hope to arrive on time.) — same subject.
"Ho deciso di studiare medicina." (I decided to study medicine.)

- After modal verbs and a number of common verbs that take a bare infinitive: potere, dovere, volere, sapere, preferire, amare, odiare, piacere, etc.
- Examples:
- "Posso aiutarti." (I can help you.)
- "Devo andare." (I must go.)
- "Mi piace leggere." (I like reading.)

After verbs that require a preposition before the infinitive (di or a)

(the preposition is part of the verb’s subcategorization) "di" verbs: cercare di, decidere di, smettere di, finire di, evitare di, pensare di, sperare di (same subject). "a" verbs: cominciare a, iniziare a, continuare a, imparare a, riuscire a, andare a.

Examples:
"Ho deciso di partire domani." (I decided to leave tomorrow.)
"Ho cominciato a lavorare alle otto." (I started working at eight.)
"Cerco di capire." (I'm trying to understand.)

After impersonal expressions when the action is general or the subject is not a specific person
Examples:
"È importante studiare." (It’s important to study.)
"Bisogna rispettare le regole." (One must respect the rules.)

After verbs of perception with a direct object + infinitive (to report what you saw/heard someone do)

This is different from reporting a fact with che + verb.

Examples:
"L'ho visto uscire." (I saw him leave.) — I saw the action happen.
"L'ho sentita cantare." (I heard her sing.)
Compare: "Ho visto che era uscita." (I saw that she had left.) — reporting a fact/result.

When do I use che + subjunctive (congiuntivo)?

Main situations for che + subjunctive

Different-subject rule: When the subordinate clause has its own subject (different from the main clause subject) and the main clause expresses will, desire, emotion, doubt, necessity, possibility, judgment or an impersonal expression that requires a personal finite verb, use che + the subjunctive.
Examples (will/desire about somebody else):
"Voglio che tu venga." (I want you to come.) — different subject (you).
"Preferisco che lui resti." (I prefer that he stay.)
Examples (necessity/impersonal):
"È necessario che tu compili il modulo." (It’s necessary that you fill out the form.)
"È importante che voi sappiate la verità." (It’s important that you know the truth.)
Examples (doubt/possibility):
"Dubito che Anna abbia ragione." (I doubt that Anna is right.)
"È possibile che arrivi tardi." (It’s possible that he/she will arrive late.)
Examples (emotion):
"Mi dispiace che tu non possa venire." (I’m sorry that you can’t come.)

After verbs of asking/ordering/requesting when you ask/require someone to do something (different subject)

or when you ask that something happen.

Examples:
"Ho chiesto che il pagamento venisse effettuato subito." (I asked that the payment be made right away.)
"Ti chiedo che tu mi dica la verità." (I ask you to tell me the truth.) — more formal: often "Ti chiedo di dirmi la verità."

After superlatives, indefinite antecedents or non-existent/unknown antecedents (when you mean 'someone/anything that...')

the subjunctive signals indefiniteness or evaluation.

Examples:
"Cerco una casa che abbia un giardino." (I’m looking for a house that has a garden — the house is hypothetical.)
"Il migliore film che abbia visto." (The best film I have seen.)

In many impersonal expressions introduced by che
Examples:
"È meglio che tu vada." (It’s better that you go.)
"Non è certo che lui sia colpevole." (It’s not certain that he is guilty.)

How to form the subjunctive (quick guide to tenses you’ll meet)

The subjunctive (congiuntivo) has present, past (perfect), imperfect and pluperfect forms. You will use present and imperfect most often.

Present subjunctive (congiuntivo presente): used for present/future actions after a present main clause.
Example: "Spero che tu venga." (I hope you come.)
Past subjunctive (congiuntivo passato): present subjunctive of auxiliary + past participle — used to talk about an action completed before the main present action.
Example: "Spero che tu abbia capito." (I hope you have understood.)
Imperfect subjunctive (congiuntivo imperfetto): used after a past-tense main clause.
Example: "Speravo che tu venissi." (I hoped that you would come / I hoped you came.)
Pluperfect subjunctive (congiuntivo trapassato): imperfect subjunctive of auxiliary + past participle — used after past main clauses when the subordinate action happened before that past time.
Example: "Pensavo che tu avessi finito." (I thought you had finished.)

Common verb patterns and prepositions to remember (infinitive forms)

Bare infinitive (no preposition): potere, dovere, volere, sapere, preferire, amare, odiare, piacere.
"Posso entrare?" (Can I come in?)
"Preferisco restare." (I prefer to stay.)

- Infinitive with di: cercare di, decidere di, finire di, smettere di, pensare di, sperare di (used when subject is same):
- "Spero di rivederti presto." (I hope to see you again soon.)
- "Ho smesso di fumare." (I stopped smoking.)

- Infinitive with a: cominciare a, iniziare a, continuare a, imparare a, riuscire a:
- "Ho cominciato a studiare tardi." (I started studying late.)
- "Non riesco a farlo." (I can’t manage to do it.)

- Purpose: per + infinitive (same subject)
- "Studio per imparare l’italiano." (I study to learn Italian.)
- If subjects differ: use affinché / perché + subjunctive: "Studio affinché i miei figli abbiano una migliore vita." (I study so that my children may have a better life.)

Examples that compare infinitive vs che + subjunctive (pairs you should memorize)

Volere / desire
"Voglio andare." (I want to go.) — same subject -> infinitive
"Voglio che tu vada." (I want you to go.) — different subject -> che + subjunctive

- Sperare
- "Spero di venire." (I hope to come.) — same subject -> infinitive
- "Spero che tu venga." (I hope that you come.) — different subject -> che + subjunctive

- Avere bisogno / necessity
- "Ho bisogno di studiare." (I need to study.) — I need (myself) to study
- "Ho bisogno che tu studi." (I need you to study.) — I need someone else to study

- Chiedere / ask
- "Gli ho chiesto di venire." (I asked him to come.) — I asked him (same object — uses di before infinitive)
- "Ho chiesto che venisse subito." (I asked that he come immediately.) — che + subj (formal request expressed as a clause)

- Verbs of perception
- "L'ho visto uscire." (I saw him leave.) — action witnessed: infinitive
- "L'ho visto che usciva / L'ho visto che se ne andava." (I saw that he was leaving/that he left.) — reporting the fact

- Impersonal expressions
- "È importante studiare." (It’s important to study.) — general statement, infinitive
- "È importante che tu studi." (It’s important that you study.) — addresses a particular person: che + subjunctive

- Purpose
- "Sono venuto per parlare con te." (I came to talk with you.) — same subject -> per + infinitive
- "Ti ho chiamato perché potessi parlare con me." (I called you so that you could talk with me.) — different subject -> perché/affinché + subjunctive

Common mistakes and how to correct them

Mistake: mixing infinitive + che.
Wrong: "Spero di che tu venga."
Correct: "Spero che tu venga." or "Spero di venire."
Why: you either use "di + infinitive" when the subject is the same (Spero di venire = I hope to come) or "che + subjunctive" when subjects differ (Spero che tu venga = I hope you come).

- Mistake: leaving out needed preposition before infinitive.
- Wrong: "Ho deciso partire domani."
- Correct: "Ho deciso di partire domani."
- Tip: learn which verbs take di, which take a, and which take no preposition.

- Mistake: using the infinitive when the subordinate clause has a different subject.
- Wrong: "Voglio di tu partire." or "Voglio di partire tu." or "Voglio tu partire."
- Correct: "Voglio che tu parta." or more colloquially "Voglio che tu vada."

- Mistake: using indicative after "che" when the grammar requires subjunctive (common in speech but nonstandard in formal Italian).
- Wrong: "È importante che tu sei qui."
- Correct: "È importante che tu sia qui."

- Mistake: using "che" + subjunctive when the speaker is just stating a fact and prefers the indicative (verb-dependent). Know verbs like "pensare/credere" can take indicative when used affirmatively to state a belief: "Penso che arriverà domani." But with negation or doubt, prefer subjunctive: "Non penso che arrivi domani."

When Italian differs from English — quick comparisons

English often uses the to-infinitive for both "I want to go" and "I want you to go." Italian separates the two: "Voglio andare" vs "Voglio che tu vada." English uses "that" clauses rarely with subjunctive, while Italian uses the congiuntivo (subjunctive) to show non-factual, desired or uncertain situations.
English: "I hope to come" and "I hope you come" use the to-infinitive and a that-clause respectively. Italian mirrors this but uses the subjunctive after che for the second meaning: "Spero di venire" vs "Spero che tu venga."

Short decision checklist (when you’re unsure)</b]

1. Identify the subject of the subordinate action.

If it’s the same as the main clause subject -> use infinitive (check verb needs di/a/no preposition).
If it’s different -> you will usually need che + a finite verb.

2. Decide whether the main clause expresses desire, doubt, emotion, necessity, possibility, request/order, or an impersonal judgment.

If yes -> use che + subjunctive (choose the correct subjunctive tense to match time).
If not (simple factual report) -> che + indicative may be correct (e.g., "Penso che verrà").

3. If you’re giving general advice or stating a general truth, prefer the infinitive: "È importante studiare." If addressing a person, prefer che + subjunctive: "È importante che tu studi."

Glossary (short)</b]

Infinitive (infinito): the non-conjugated verb form (e.g., parlare, mangiare, partire).
Subjunctive (congiuntivo): a mood used in subordinate clauses to express doubt, desire, emotion, necessity, possibility, or the speaker’s opinion.
Subject: the person/thing that performs the verb action.
Impersonal expression: a phrase like "È necessario... / È possibile..." that does not have a clear personal subject.
Preposition + infinitive: many Italian verbs require di or a before an infinitive (e.g., "decidere di", "cominciare a").

Final tips

Learn common verb patterns (which verbs take di, a, or no preposition before an infinitive).
When in doubt, ask: "Is the subject of the subordinate action the same as the main subject?" If yes, try the infinitive.
Practice the subjunctive tenses in context (present and imperfect are the most useful).
Pay attention to impersonal expressions: they often take the infinitive when general and che + subjunctive when directed at a person.

Useful example set — many short phrases to study

"Voglio mangiare." — I want to eat.
"Voglio che tu mangi." — I want you to eat.
"Spero di vedere il film." — I hope to see the film.
"Spero che tu veda il film." — I hope you see the film.
"Ho bisogno di dormire." — I need to sleep.
"Ho bisogno che tu dorma." — I need you to sleep.
"È importante studiare ogni giorno." — It’s important to study every day.
"È importante che gli studenti studino ogni giorno." — It’s important that the students study every day.
"L'ho sentito cantare." — I heard him sing.
"Ho sentito che cantava male." — I heard that he sang poorly (reported fact).
"Non penso che sia giusto." — I don’t think that it’s right. (subjunctive after negation)
"Penso che sia giusto." or "Penso che è giusto." — Both are used; standard grammar favors the subjunctive in many cases of opinion that are uncertain.

If you want, I can give a short list of the most common verbs that take di, a or nothing before an infinitive, or provide conjugation examples of the present and imperfect subjunctive for common verbs (venire, avere, essere, parlare, fare).