possiedano

Possiedano is the third-person plural present subjunctive form of the Italian verb possedere, meaning to possess. In Italian grammar, possiedano is used in subordinate clauses introduced by che to express wishes, doubts, possibilities, or hypothetical states, and it appears mainly in formal or literary contexts rather than in everyday speech. It marks the subjunctive mood, which conveys nuance such as uncertainty, necessity, or desirability rather than factual assertion.

Usage notes: The form is commonly seen after verbs of desire, necessity, or emotion (for example, È importante che essi possiedano le competenze necessarie) and in clauses following impersonal expressions like È possibile che essi possiedano risorse sufficienti. Because the Italian subjunctive is less frequent in speech, speakers may instead use the indicative or a different construction in colloquial language.

Etymology and related forms: Possiedano derives from possedere. The present subjunctive paradigm includes also possieda (1st/3rd singular), possiedano (3rd plural), and related forms such as possediamo and possediate for other persons, depending on the sentence. In formal writing one may encounter possiedano in agreements with plural subjects.

See also: possedere, congiuntivo, Italian grammar.