Language is fluid, and usage changes. A case in point is the subjunctive (il congiuntivo), which in English is rapidly becoming extinct. Phrases like "I suggest you go home immediately" and "Robert wishes that you open the window" are not in frequent use anymore.

　　In Italian, though, the subjunctive tense is alive and flourishing, both in speaking and writing. Rather than stating facts, it expresses doubt, possibility, uncertainty, or personal feelings. It can also express emotion, desire, or suggestions. The table below provides examples of three regular verbs conjugated in the present subjunctive tense.

　　PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

　　PRONOUN

　　-ARE VERB

　　-ERE VERB

　　-IRE VERBS

　　che io

　　parli

　　scriva

　　senta

　　capisca

　　che tu

　　parli

　　scriva

　　senta

　　capisca

　　che lui/lei/Lei

　　parli

　　scriva

　　senta

　　capisca

　　che noi

　　parliamo

　　scriviamo

　　sentiamo

　　capiamo

　　che voi

　　parliate

　　scriviate

　　sentiate

　　capiate

　　che loro/Loro

　　parlino

　　scrivano

　　sentano

　　capiscano

　　Typical phrases that call for the subjunctive tense include:

　　Credo che... (I believe that...)

　　Suppongo che... (I suppose that...)

　　Immagino che... (I imagine that...)

　　è necessario che... (It is necessary that...)

　　Mi piace che... (I'd like that...)

　　Non vale la pena che... (It's not worth it that...)

　　Non suggerisco che... (I'm not suggesting that...)

　　Può darsi che... (It's possible that...)

　　Penso che... (I think that...)

　　Non sono certo che... (I'm not sure that...)

　　è probabile che... (It is probable that...)

　　Ho l'impressione che... (I have the impression that...)

　　Certain verbs such as suggerire (to suggest), sperare (to hope), desiderare (to wish), and insistere (to insist) require use of the subjunctive.