Gli indefiniti complessi: qualsiasi, qualunque, chiunque
Gli indefiniti complessi: qualsiasi, qualunque, chiunque means “"any", "whoever", "wherever" — and they trigger the subjunctive”. These are the "any / -ever" indefinites, and two things make them B2. Formation: qualsiasi / qualunque (invar., + nome sg.) · chiunque (chiunque persona) · dovunque/ovunque (luogo) · comunque — chiunque, qualunque cosa, dovunque + congiuntivo
"any", "whoever", "wherever" — and they trigger the subjunctive
B2Formation
qualsiasi / qualunque (invar., + nome sg.) · chiunque (chiunque persona) · dovunque/ovunque (luogo) · comunque — chiunque, qualunque cosa, dovunque + congiuntivo
Explanation
These are the "any / -ever" indefinites, and two things make them B2. First, their form: qualsiasi and qualunque both mean "any", are invariable, and go before a singular noun (qualsiasi libro, qualunque idea = any book, any idea). chiunque = "anyone / whoever" (people), dovunque / ovunque = "wherever", comunque = "however / anyway". Second, and this is the key point: when they introduce a clause with a verb, they trigger the subjunctive. Chiunque venga, sarà il benvenuto (whoever comes will be welcome); qualunque cosa tu faccia, ti sosterrò (whatever you do, I'll support you); dovunque tu vada, ti penso (wherever you go, I think of you). As a plain adjective before a noun, no subjunctive is needed (prendi un libro qualsiasi = take any book).
Examples
Note
The subjunctive is the trap: after chiunque, qualunque cosa, dovunque + a verb, use the subjunctive (chiunque venga, not *chiunque viene). But when qualsiasi/qualunque just sits before a noun with no following clause, it's an ordinary adjective and no subjunctive appears.
FAQ
Gli indefiniti complessi: qualsiasi, qualunque, chiunque — what does it mean and how is it used?
"any", "whoever", "wherever" — and they trigger the subjunctive. These are the "any / -ever" indefinites, and two things make them B2. First, their form: qualsiasi and qualunque both mean "any", are invariable, and go before a singular noun (qualsiasi libro, qualunque idea = any book, any idea). chiunque = "anyone / whoever" (people), dovunque / ovunque = "wherever", comunque = "however / anyway". Second, and this is the key point: when they introduce a clause with a verb, they trigger the subjunctive. Chiunque venga, sarà il benvenuto (whoever comes will be welcome); qualunque cosa tu faccia, ti sosterrò (whatever you do, I'll support you); dovunque tu vada, ti penso (wherever you go, I think of you). As a plain adjective before a noun, no subjunctive is needed (prendi un libro qualsiasi = take any book).
Gli indefiniti complessi: qualsiasi, qualunque, chiunque — how do you form it?
qualsiasi / qualunque (invar., + nome sg.) · chiunque (chiunque persona) · dovunque/ovunque (luogo) · comunque — chiunque, qualunque cosa, dovunque + congiuntivo
Gli indefiniti complessi: qualsiasi, qualunque, chiunque — any usage notes?
The subjunctive is the trap: after chiunque, qualunque cosa, dovunque + a verb, use the subjunctive (chiunque venga, not *chiunque viene). But when qualsiasi/qualunque just sits before a noun with no following clause, it's an ordinary adjective and no subjunctive appears.