Se domani piove, resterò a casa.If it rains tomorrow, I'll stay at home.

A real condition is something that could happen: if it rains, if you come, if I have time. In Italian the se clause usually takes the present, and the result clause takes the futuro semplice.

Quick shortcut: se + present , future: Se studi, passerai l'esame.

1. The basic pattern

Condition (se + present) Result (future)
Se hai tempo, verrai con noi?
Se il treno è in ritardo, arriverò tardi.
Se finisco presto, ti chiamerò.
Se fa bel tempo, andremo al mare.

Both parts are about the future, but the verb after se stays in the present. English does the same: If it rains (not will rain), I'll stay. For the future forms, see Futuro semplice.

2. The result clause can be present or an imperative

The future is the most typical result, but not the only one. Italian speakers often use:

  • the present, for a result that feels certain or near: Se non ti sbrighi, perdi il treno. (If you don't hurry, you'll miss the train.)
  • an imperative, for an invitation, advice or an order: Se hai fame, mangia qualcosa! (If you're hungry, eat something!)
  • a modal verb with the present: Se vuoi, puoi venire con noi. (If you like, you can come with us.)

For the imperative, see Imperative (tu).

3. Clause order and the comma

The se clause can come first or second. When it comes first, we usually put a comma after it; when it comes second, no comma is needed:

  • Se domani piove, resterò a casa.
  • Resterò a casa se domani piove.

4. Negative conditions

For a negative condition, put non before the verb after se. Italian also has se no (otherwise) for a short alternative:

  • Se non studi, non passerai l'esame. (If you don't study, you won't pass the exam.)
  • Dobbiamo partire ora, se no perdiamo il treno. (We have to leave now, otherwise we'll miss the train.)

The two parts can differ in polarity: Se non mi chiami, vengo io da te. (If you don't call me, I'll come to you.)

5. Which tense after se?

For a real future possibility, the verb after se is normally in the present: Se domani piove, resterò a casa. This is the pattern to learn first, and the one you will hear most.

A futuro semplice after se is also correct and common, for example when the condition will happen later than the result or in a more careful style: Se domani pioverà, resterò a casa. Both are normal; start with the present, which is the simplest pattern.

Real conditions are different from unreal ones. Se avessi tempo, verrei (If I had time, I would come) uses other forms and belongs to a later level.

Common mistakes

  • ❌ Resterò a casa se non piove. (meaning: if it rains) → ✅ Resterò a casa se piove. (se non means "if it doesn't")
  • ❌ Se studi non, non passerai. → ✅ Se non studi, non passerai. (non goes right before the verb)

Quick check

Complete the sentences with the right form of the verb in brackets.

  1. Se (avere, io) tempo domani, ti (chiamare).
  2. Se non (studiare, tu), non (passare) l'esame.
  3. Se (fare) bel tempo, (andare, noi) al parco.
  4. Se hai sete, (bere, tu: imperative) un po' d'acqua!
  5. Se il bus (essere) in ritardo, io (arrivare) tardi.
Show answers
  1. ho, chiamerò   2. studi, passerai   3. fa, andremo   4. bevi   5. è, arriverò

Key takeaways

  • A real condition has se + present in the if-clause and usually the futuro semplice in the result: Se piove, resterò a casa.
  • The result can also be the present, an imperative or a modal verb: Se hai fame, mangia!
  • After se you can use the present (Se domani piove) or the future (Se domani pioverà); both are correct, and the present is the simplest to start with.
  • With se first, a comma follows; with se second, usually no comma.
  • Negative: se non + present. Short alternative: se no (otherwise).