Italian Phrase
E se decidessi di non curarlo?
Meaning
A hypothetical question that asks the listener to imagine the consequences of choosing not to take care of something. It is often used when discussing responsibilities, options, or possible outcomes.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to explore a ‘what‑if’ scenario, especially in a conversation about duties, health, projects, or relationships. It works well in both informal chats and more thoughtful debates.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Esedecidessidinoncurarlo
E (conjunction)
Introduces a new clause, often translated as “and” or “what if”.
se (conditional particle)
Used to introduce a hypothetical condition; it triggers the subjunctive mood in the verb that follows.
decidessi (imperfetto congiuntivo)
Imperfect subjunctive of decidere; expresses a non‑real or imagined action in the past or present.
di + infinitive
After decidere, the preposition di is required before the infinitive that follows.
non (negation)
Placed directly before the infinitive to negate the action.
curarlo (infinitive + clitic pronoun)
The infinitive curare (to take care of) combined with the direct‑object clitic –lo (it).
🗨In Conversation
E se decidessi di non curarlo?
And what if you decided not to take care of it?
Allora il problema peggiorerebbe rapidamente.
Then the problem would get worse quickly.
✕Common Mistakes
E se decidere di non curarlo?
After decidere you must use the subjunctive (decidessi) when the clause is introduced by “se”.
E se decidessi di non curare lo?
The direct‑object pronoun must be attached to the infinitive (curarlo), not placed separately.
E se decidessi non curarlo?
The negation “non” must come before the infinitive, not before the verb “decidessi”.
↔Alternatives
E se non volessi curarlo?
And what if you didn’t want to take care of it?
Che succederebbe se lo trascurassi?
What would happen if I neglected it?
E se scegliessi di non curarlo?
And if you chose not to take care of it?
Cultural Tip
In Italian, the conditional mood (especially the imperfect subjunctive) is frequently used to soften suggestions or to discuss hypothetical situations. Using “E se…” followed by the subjunctive signals a polite, reflective tone rather than a direct challenge. Remember that the clitic pronoun (‑lo) must agree in gender and number with the object you’re referring to.