Il congiuntivo esortativo e ottativo; le formule fisse
Il congiuntivo esortativo e ottativo; le formule fisse means “The subjunctive standing alone to give an order or express a wish”. Usually the subjunctive lives in a subordinate clause, but it can also stand alone as the main verb, in two elevated uses. Formation: congiuntivo presente/imperfetto in frase indipendente — esortativo (3ª pers.): venga pure! · che entrino! · ottativo (desiderio): fosse vero! · magari piovesse! · formule: sia detto per inciso · costi quel che costi
The subjunctive standing alone to give an order or express a wish
C2Formation
congiuntivo presente/imperfetto in frase indipendente — esortativo (3ª pers.): venga pure! · che entrino! · ottativo (desiderio): fosse vero! · magari piovesse! · formule: sia detto per inciso · costi quel che costi
Explanation
Usually the subjunctive lives in a subordinate clause, but it can also stand alone as the main verb, in two elevated uses. (1) The hortative subjunctive gives a command or invitation in the third person — it is, in fact, the "missing" persons of the imperative. Venga pure! (do come in!), Che entrino! (let them come in!), Prego, si accomodi. The polite Lei imperative you learned (itg044) is exactly this present subjunctive. (2) The optative subjunctive expresses a wish or regret, usually with the imperfect or pluperfect and often introduced by magari or se: Fosse vero! (if only it were true!), Magari piovesse! (I wish it would rain!), Avessi vent'anni di meno! (if only I were twenty years younger!). On top of these there are frozen formulas that preserve an old independent subjunctive: sia detto per inciso (let it be said in passing), costi quel che costi (cost what it may), sia come sia (be that as it may), venga chi vuole. Recognize these as fixed expressions rather than productive grammar.
Examples
Note
The hortative subjunctive is just the formal Lei imperative extended — venga, entri, si accomodi. The optative one is your "if only…!" — fosse vero!, magari piovesse! And the frozen formulas (costi quel che costi, sia come sia) are best memorized whole; nobody builds them fresh.
FAQ
Il congiuntivo esortativo e ottativo; le formule fisse — what does it mean and how is it used?
The subjunctive standing alone to give an order or express a wish. Usually the subjunctive lives in a subordinate clause, but it can also stand alone as the main verb, in two elevated uses. (1) The hortative subjunctive gives a command or invitation in the third person — it is, in fact, the "missing" persons of the imperative. Venga pure! (do come in!), Che entrino! (let them come in!), Prego, si accomodi. The polite Lei imperative you learned (itg044) is exactly this present subjunctive. (2) The optative subjunctive expresses a wish or regret, usually with the imperfect or pluperfect and often introduced by magari or se: Fosse vero! (if only it were true!), Magari piovesse! (I wish it would rain!), Avessi vent'anni di meno! (if only I were twenty years younger!). On top of these there are frozen formulas that preserve an old independent subjunctive: sia detto per inciso (let it be said in passing), costi quel che costi (cost what it may), sia come sia (be that as it may), venga chi vuole. Recognize these as fixed expressions rather than productive grammar.
Il congiuntivo esortativo e ottativo; le formule fisse — how do you form it?
congiuntivo presente/imperfetto in frase indipendente — esortativo (3ª pers.): venga pure! · che entrino! · ottativo (desiderio): fosse vero! · magari piovesse! · formule: sia detto per inciso · costi quel che costi
Il congiuntivo esortativo e ottativo; le formule fisse — any usage notes?
The hortative subjunctive is just the formal Lei imperative extended — venga, entri, si accomodi. The optative one is your "if only…!" — fosse vero!, magari piovesse! And the frozen formulas (costi quel che costi, sia come sia) are best memorized whole; nobody builds them fresh.