invadessero

Invadessero is the imperfect subjunctive form of the Italian verb invadere (to invade). It is used in subordinate clauses to express doubt, possibility, hypothesis, or indirect speech, and is commonly found in formal or literary Italian. The form corresponds to the third-person plural.

Conjugation and use: in the imperfect subjunctive, the endings for -ere verbs are typically -essi, -essi, -esse, -essimo, -este, -essero; therefore: io invadessi, tu invadessi, lui/lei invadesse, noi invadessimo, voi invadeste, loro invadessero. It appears in phrases such as che loro invadessero or in clauses introduced by se, come se, or senza che, where the action is hypothetical or uncertain. The surrounding verb tense in the main clause often determines the corresponding mood (for example, se loro invadessero il territorio, la comunità internazionale reagirebbe).

Usage notes: the imperfect subjunctive is frequently used in written and formal Italian, especially in hypothetical statements about the past or in reported speech. In everyday speech, speakers may opt for present forms or alternative constructions, but invadessero remains standard in proper grammar and in literature.

Examples:

- Se loro invadessero il territorio, la comunità internazionale reagirebbe. (If they invaded the territory, the international community would respond.)

- Non è certo che invadessero la casa. (It is not certain that they invaded the house.)

Etymology: formed from the stem invad- plus the typical imperfect subjunctive endings.