Introduction
The Portuguese Future Subjunctive is a small but essential mood for talking about future time and hypothetical conditions in Brazilian Portuguese. It appears less often in English, so learners often find it unfamiliar. This article explains when to use it, how to form it, and gives many clear examples showing real usage in Brazil.
- What is the future subjunctive?
- How to form the future subjunctive
- Common conjunctions that trigger the future subjunctive
- Differences between future subjunctive and present subjunctive or indicative
- Irregular verbs in the future subjunctive
- Using the future subjunctive in commands and advice
- Negative forms and contractions
- Common mistakes and tips
- Real-life Brazilian usage and cultural notes
- More examples with translations
- Practice with listening and reading
- Conclusion
What is the future subjunctive?
The future subjunctive is a verb mood used for actions that are uncertain or dependent on a future event. It is used after certain conjunctions and expressions that introduce time or conditions, such as quando, se, assim que, tão logo, depois que, caso, and enquanto. Unlike the indicative or present subjunctive, the future subjunctive points specifically to future possibilities or conditions.
When you will see it
Use the futuro do subjuntivo in sentences that combine a dependent clause with a condition or time reference that will happen in the future. Common contexts: conditional sentences (if-clauses), time clauses introduced by quando or assim que, and imperatives referring to future situations.
How to form the future subjunctive
Forming the futuro do subjuntivo is straightforward. Start with the third person plural of the simple past (pretérito perfeito) and remove the -ram ending. Then add the endings appropriate for each person. This works for regular and many irregular verbs.
Step-by-step formation
1. Conjugate the verb in pretérito perfeito (eles/elas/ vocês form).
2. Remove the final -ram to get the verb stem for the future subjunctive.
3. Add the personal endings: -er, -erem, -ermos, -ermos etc. (see full list below).
Here are the endings to attach to the stem you get from the pretérito perfeito (eles/elas/ vocês form minus -ram):
eu: – (no ending, stem alone)
tu: -es
ele/ela/você: – (stem alone)
nós: -mos
vós: -des
eles/elas/vocês: -em
Note that the first person singular and third person singular have no extra ending; they are the bare stem.
Examples with regular verbs
Falar (eles falaram -> stem falar-):
se eu falar, se tu falares, se ele falar, se nós falarmos, se vós falardes, se eles falarem
Comer (eles comeram -> stem comer-):
se eu comer, se tu comeres, se ela comer, se nós comermos, se vós comerdes, se eles comerem
Partir (eles partiram -> stem partir-):
quando eu partir, quando tu partires, quando ele partir, quando nós partirmos, quando vós partirdes, quando eles partirem
Common conjunctions that trigger the future subjunctive
These conjunctions are used in time and conditional clauses that refer to the future. After them, use the futuro do subjuntivo when the action is uncertain or depends on a future event.
Time conjunctions
quando (when), assim que (as soon as), depois que (after), antes que (note: antes que usually takes present subjunctive when the action is unlikely or desired in the future), até que (until), enquanto (while, when referring to an eventual future time).
Examples:
Quando eu chegar, eu te ligo.
Assim que ela sair, me avisa.
Depois que você terminar, podemos sair.
Conditional conjunctions
se (if), caso (in case), contanto que (provided that, though sometimes takes other moods depending on meaning).
Examples:
Se ele vier, vamos conversar.
Caso você precise, me chama.
Se nós ganharmos, comemoramos no sábado.
Differences between future subjunctive and present subjunctive or indicative
It is important to distinguish when to use the futuro do subjuntivo instead of the present subjunctive or the indicative.
Future event vs. general or habitual statements
Use the future subjunctive for a specific future event that is conditional or uncertain. Use the present subjunctive for general statements about doubt, emotion, desire, or commands that are not tied to a specific future moment. Use the indicative for factual or definite statements.
Examples:
Se eu for ao Rio amanhã, eu visito o museu. (specific future condition -> futuro do subjuntivo)
Se eu vá ao Rio com frequência, eu conheço muitos bairros. (less natural in Portuguese; for habitual actions you would use the indicative: Se eu vou ao Rio com frequência…)
É importante que você vá ao médico. (present subjunctive because of necessity/advice, not a specific future time)
Time clauses with quando
English often uses present or future tenses for time clauses, but Portuguese uses the futuro do subjuntivo when the action is in the future and depends on that time conjunction.
English: When I arrive, I will call you.
Portuguese: Quando eu chegar, eu te ligo.
Note that chegar is in the futuro do subjuntivo, not the indicative.
Irregular verbs in the future subjunctive
Many irregular verbs are regular once you know the pretérito perfeito (eles form) because the future subjunctive stem comes from that form. Some common irregular verbs and their stems:
ser: foram -> stem for- -> se eu for, se nós formos
ir: foram -> stem for- -> se eu for, quando nós formos
ter: tiveram -> stem tiver- -> se eu tiver, quando ele tiver
fazer: fizeram -> stem fizer- -> se eu fizer, quando nós fizermos
dizer: disseram -> stem disser- -> se eu disser, quando eles disserem
Examples:
Se ele for ao show, compra ingresso para mim.
Quando nós formos ao Nordeste, quero provar a comida local.
Se você tiver tempo, me ajuda com isso.
Notes on ser and ir
Ser and ir have the same pretérito perfeito third person plural foram, so their future subjunctive forms are identical: se eu for can mean if I am or if I go. Context clarifies meaning.
Using the future subjunctive in commands and advice
The future subjunctive also appears after the imperative or in instructions referring to future conditions. It often conveys polite or formal instructions about what to do if a future event happens.
Examples:
Se precisar, me ligue. (common spoken form where the imperative ligue or present are used interchangeably)
Caso surja algum problema, avise imediatamente. (avise here is imperative; the conditional clause uses the future subjunctive surja)
Negative forms and contractions
To make the clause negative, simply place não before the verb in the dependent clause. No special negative form of the futuro do subjuntivo is required.
Examples:
Se ele não vier, começamos sem ele.
Quando você não estiver disponível, me diz por escrito.
With pronouns, contractions are the same as in other moods. For example, quando eu me lembrar keeps the reflexive pronoun attached in normal position depending on formality and emphasis.
Common mistakes and tips
1. Confusing present subjunctive with future subjunctive: Remember the future subjunctive is used for future, specific events after time or conditional conjunctions.
2. Overusing future subjunctive: Not every subordinate clause requires it. For habitual or general situations, use the present or imperfect indicative.
3. Forgetting irregular stems: Learn common irregular pretérito perfeito forms so you can derive the correct future subjunctive stem.
4. Translating literally from English: English often uses will or would in time clauses; in Portuguese, use the futuro do subjuntivo without the auxiliary.
Memory tip
To find the future subjunctive stem, ask What did they do yesterday? Use that answer, remove -ram, and you have the future subjunctive stem. This simple trick helps with most verbs.
Real-life Brazilian usage and cultural notes
Brazilian Portuguese speakers use the futuro do subjuntivo naturally in everyday conversation, especially with quando, se, and assim que. In spoken language, short forms and contractions are common, but the grammar remains the same. For example, quando eu chegar em casa eu te ligo is more than formal grammar: it is the typical way to promise a future action.
In more casual speech, people sometimes omit the subject or use colloquial word order, but the verb form still signals the future conditional meaning. Formal writing, legal texts, and literature rely heavily on the future subjunctive to express precise conditions.
Cultural note: Brazilians often use conditional time clauses when planning social activities. Learning the futuro do subjuntivo makes invitations and plans sound natural: Se sobrar tempo, a gente se encontra depois do trabalho.
More examples with translations
Se eu ganhar na loteria, viajo pelo Brasil.
If I win the lottery, I will travel around Brazil.
Quando você chegar ao aeroporto, me manda uma mensagem.
When you arrive at the airport, send me a message.
Se nós não encontrarmos o restaurante, vamos para outro lugar.
If we do not find the restaurant, we will go to another place.
Assim que ela terminar o curso, ela começa a trabalhar.
As soon as she finishes the course, she starts working.
Se eles disserem a verdade, tudo ficará mais fácil.
If they tell the truth, everything will become easier.
Practice with listening and reading
To internalize the future subjunctive, listen to Brazilian podcasts, watch dramas and telenovelas, and read contemporary Brazilian texts. Pay attention to clauses introduced by quando, se, assim que, and depois que. Note the verb forms and how native speakers express future conditions.
When you hear sentences like Se eu for, observe whether the meaning is ir or ser from context. This sharpens your comprehension and helps you produce accurate sentences in conversation.
Conclusion
The Portuguese Future Subjunctive is a compact but powerful tool for talking about future possibilities and conditions in Brazilian Portuguese. Form it from the pretérito perfeito third-person plural, use it after time and conditional conjunctions, and remember common irregular stems. With exposure to real Brazilian speech and practice recognizing conjunctions like quando, se, and assim que, you will start using the futuro do subjuntivo naturally and confidently.
