Succedessi

Succedessi is the conjugated form of the Italian verb succedere. It is specifically the imperfect subjunctive (congiuntivo imperfetto). The verb succedere has senses including “to happen” or “to occur,” and when used transitively, “to succeed” or take over a role. The imperfect subjunctive endings for -ere verbs yield forms such as io succedessi, tu succedessi, egli succedesse, noi succedessimo, voi succedeste, essi succedessero; thus succedessi is the 1st and 2nd person singular form, while the 3rd person singular is succedesse, and other forms follow accordingly.

Usage of succedessi is largely limited to literary, historical, or formal writing. It expresses hypothetical, doubtful, or desired content in past contexts and typically occurs in subordinate clauses introduced by che or se. Because it is archaic or stylistically marked, it is rarely used in everyday speech. For example, in a literary register one might encounter: “Se io succedessi al posto di mio padre, la situazione cambierebbe.” In ordinary modern Italian, speakers often substitute with forms such as succedesse or other verbs like accadere depending on the nuance.

Etymology and related forms: succedere comes from Latin succedere, meaning “to come after” or “to follow,” later extending to “to happen” or “to succeed” in taking a position. Related terms include the noun successo (success, occurrence) and the participle succeduto (having succeeded). In contemporary usage, succedessi is mainly of historical or stylistic interest, illustrating the full range of the congiuntivo imperfetto.