Conjunctions are little words that connect object or ideas. Examples are here. Many conjunctions you have already learned, such as perché (because), se (if), quando (when), ma (but), and appena (as soon as). There are others that express contrast, conditions, and other qualifiers, that are followed by the subjunctive. These include the following:
| a meno che (non) | unless |
| affinché | in order that |
| a patto che | provided that |
| a condizione che | on the condition that |
| benché | although |
| perché | so that |
| prima che | before |
| purché | provided that |
| sebbene | although |
| senza che | without |
For example:
| Vado a classe benché non stia bene. | I’m going to class although I’m sick. |
| Voglio vedere i miei cugini prima che partano per Europa. | I want to see my cousins before they leave for Europe. |
✽ Affinché, perché, senza, and prima are only used with the subjunctive if the subjects in the main and relative clauses are different. If they are the same, an infinitive is preferred. For example:
| Devo chiamare mia sorella prima di uscire. | I have to call my sister before I leave. |
| Studio molto per superare il mio esame. | I’m studying a lot in order to pass my exam. |
✽ Perché also means because, and in this case does not take the
subjunctive.