accendano

Accendano is the present subjunctive form of the Italian verb accendere in the third-person plural. Accendere means to light or to ignite. Accendano corresponds to “they light” in the subjunctive, and it is used in subordinate clauses introduced by che or other conjunctions to express doubt, wish, possibility, necessity, or hypothetical action (for example after verbs of desire, uncertainty, or judgment). The full present subjunctive paradigm for accendere is: io accenda, tu accenda, lui/lei accenda, noi accendiamo, voi accendiate, loro accendano. The indicative present form is accendono.

Usage and style: In contemporary Italian, the present subjunctive is most common in formal writing and careful speech. In everyday language, speakers often replace the subjunctive with the indicative or with other constructions after che, which can reduce the frequency of accendano in colloquial use. Examples include: Spero che accendano le luci. È probabile che accendano le lampade. After negation one may say: Non è certo che accendano le luci.

Etymology: The form derives from the verb accendere, which in turn comes from Latin accendere, formed with ad- (toward) and candere (to shine or burn).

See also: Subjunctive mood; Italian grammar.