trattengano

Trattengano is the present subjunctive form of the Italian verb trattenere, meaning to detain, restrain, or hold back. In standard Italian, trattenere is the lexical item and trattenere’s third-person plural present subjunctive form is trattengano. Therefore, trattengano is not a separate noun or independent entry but a verb form used in subordinate clauses that require the subjunctive mood. The corresponding indicative present form is trattengono.

Usage of this form occurs in contexts that require the present subjunctive, such as after verbs or expressions of necessity, wish, doubt, or possibility, and in formal or literary style. It also appears after conjunctions like che or affinché in sentences that express a desired, possible, or hypothetical action. Examples include: È necessario che essi trattengano i movimenti durante l’ispezione. Spero che essi trattengano la curiosità finché non avranno ulteriori informazioni. In legal, administrative, or historical texts, the subjunctive, including trattengano, may appear more frequently than in casual speech.

Notes and related forms: trattengano is one of several present-subjunctive forms derived from trattenere. The verb itself comes from trattenere, which in turn is linked to the Latin tenere and the idea of keeping or holding back. Trattengano should not be confused with a separate noun; it is a grammatical form used to convey actions that are potential, desired, or dependent on another clause. See also trattenere and congiuntivo presente.