Conditional sentences consist basically of an if-clause (or “protasis”) and a main clause (or “apodosis”), although many variations are possible. It is more common for the if-clause to come first, as in the examples below, but in principle the two clauses may occur in either order. Conditional sentences can be divided into hypothetical conditionals and factual conditionals.

Hypothetical conditionals

These sentences express a hypothesis, consisting of a condition and a consequence resulting from the fulfillment of that condition: “if x, then y.” The choice of mood and tense of the verbs in the two clauses reflects the degree of probability the speaker attaches to the likelihood that the hypothesis may come true. The indicative emphasizes that the hypothesis is in fact possible, while the subjunctive and conditional highlights the speculative or unreal nature of the hypothesis.

Verb mood and tense

Indicative in both clauses

The present, future, and passato prossimo may be used to express a hypothesis about present, future or past, e.g.:

Se compri il giornale, possiamo vedere cosa c'è alla televisione.

If you buy the newspaper, we can see what's on TV.