Italian grammar
Se avessi…, comprerei…
Talk about dreams and what you would do.
From the scene Se avessi soldi... (If I had money...)
In short
For imagined situations: se plus congiuntivo imperfetto, then the would form: se avessi soldi, viaggerei.
- if I had se avessi
- if I were se fossi
- I would travel viaggerei
- what would you do? cosa faresti?
Your turn
Which one goes with if I were?
Options: viaggerei · se fossi · se avessi
Show answer
if I were → se fossi
How it works
For imagined situations: se + congiuntivo imperfetto (avessi = if I / you had, fossi = if I / you were), then the "would" form: -ei (I), -esti (you), -ebbe (he / she).
Good to know
Se avessi soldi, viaggerei = if I had money, I would travel. Never put the "would" form after se.
if I had se avessi
if I were se fossi
Javi
Se fossi ricco, non lavorerei.
If I were rich, I wouldn't work.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) ricco, non lavorerei.
Options: Se fossi · Se avessi · Viaggerei
Show answer
Javi
Se fossi ricco, non lavorerei.
If I were rich, I wouldn't work.
I would travel viaggerei
Javi
Io viaggerei per tutto il mondo.
I would travel all around the world.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Io (blank) per tutto il mondo.
Options: viaggerei · se avessi · se fossi
Show answer
Javi
Io viaggerei per tutto il mondo.
I would travel all around the world.
what would you do? cosa faresti?
Javi
Se tu avessi tanti soldi, cosa faresti?
If you had lots of money, what would you do?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Se tu avessi tanti soldi, (blank)?
Options: se avessi · se fossi · cosa faresti
Show answer
Javi
Se tu avessi tanti soldi, cosa faresti?
If you had lots of money, what would you do?
Common mistake
Not Compro or Mi comprassi here. I would buy.
Mi comprerei un appartamento con l'ascensore.
I would buy a flat with a lift.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| if I had | se avessi |
|---|---|
| if I were | se fossi |
| I would travel | viaggerei |
| what would you do? | cosa faresti? |
More lines from the story
- NuriaMi comprerei un appartamento con l'ascensore.I would buy a flat with a lift.
- ElenaBeh... mi comprerei un binocolo.Well... I'd buy some binoculars.