How to Use “Pode ser que” in Portuguese With the Subjunctive

Introduction

Pode ser que is a common Portuguese expression used to talk about possibility or uncertainty, and it almost always appears with the subjunctive mood. This article explains how and when to use pode ser que, shows conjugation and sentence patterns, and gives clear examples in Brazilian Portuguese so English-speaking learners can use it naturally.

What does pode ser que mean?

Pode ser que literally translates to can be that or it may be that. Functionally, it expresses possibility, uncertainty, or speculation about something that is not certain. In English you can often translate it as maybe, it might be that, or it could be that.

Important: when you use pode ser que in Portuguese, the verb that follows must be in the subjunctive mood. This reflects the speaker’s lack of certainty about the situation.

Why the subjunctive?

The subjunctive mood in Portuguese marks doubt, desire, emotion, possibility, or non-factual situations. Because pode ser que introduces a non-factual or uncertain proposition, the language requires the subjunctive. Think of it as a grammatical flag indicating that the following action is not presented as a definite event.

Compare two patterns:

Indicative: Ele vai à festa. (He is going to the party.)

Subjunctive with pode ser que: Pode ser que ele vá à festa. (He might go to the party.)

Structure and word order

Basic structure: Pode ser que + [verb in present subjunctive]. You can use this structure at the start of a sentence or in the middle. The phrase itself is impersonal: it does not conjugate to match a subject after it. The conjugation appears only in the verb that follows.

Examples with different subjects:

Pode ser que eu chegue atrasado. (I might arrive late.)

Pode ser que ela precise de ajuda. (She might need help.)

Pode ser que nós viajemos amanhã. (We might travel tomorrow.)

Present subjunctive conjugation reminder

To form the present subjunctive for regular verbs, start with the first person singular of the present indicative (eu form), drop the -o, and add the subjunctive endings.

Regular verb endings in the present subjunctive:

-ar verbs: -e, -es, -e, -emos, -em

-er verbs: -a, -as, -a, -amos, -am

-ir verbs: -a, -as, -a, -amos, -am

Examples:

Falar: eu falo → que eu fale, que nós falemos

Comer: eu como → que eu coma, que nós comamos

Partir: eu parto → que eu parta, que nós partamos

Common examples with pode ser que

Simple possibility:

Pode ser que chova hoje. (It might rain today.)

Pode ser que eles cheguem tarde. (They might arrive late.)

Speculation about feelings or opinions:

Pode ser que ela esteja cansada. (She may be tired.)

Pode ser que ele não concorde com a ideia. (He might not agree with the idea.)

Plans and future events:

Pode ser que a reunião seja adiada. (The meeting might be postponed.)

Pode ser que viajemos no fim de semana. (We might travel on the weekend.)

Negative and contracted forms

To make a negative sentence, simply place não before pode ser que. The subordinated verb stays in the subjunctive.

Examples:

Não pode ser que ele saiba a resposta. (It cannot be that he knows the answer. / He probably does not know the answer.)

Não pode ser que ela tenha esquecido. (It cannot be that she forgot.)

Informally, Brazilians sometimes use pode ser followed by que in speech, but the full phrase pode ser que is standard in both spoken and written Portuguese. Avoid dropping que in formal writing.

Variations and synonyms

There are other ways to express the same idea. These alternatives can be useful to vary your speech or to fit different registers.

Synonyms and similar expressions:

Talvez + subjunctive: Talvez ele vá. (Maybe he will go.)

Pode ser + indicative: Pode ser verdade. (This uses indicative because the predicate is more factual: It may be true.)

É possível que + subjunctive: É possível que ela esteja ocupada. (It is possible that she is busy.)

Note the subtle differences:

Talvez is more compact and common in spoken language.

É possível que is slightly more formal.

Some expressions change whether you use subjunctive or indicative based on whether the speaker treats the following clause as hypothetical or factual.

When not to use the subjunctive

Not every sentence with possibility uses the subjunctive. If the main clause treats the following information as a fact or uses a construction that requires the indicative, do not use subjunctive. For example, after expressions like é certo que or sei que, use the indicative because they signal certainty.

Examples:

Eu sei que ele vem amanhã. (I know he is coming tomorrow.) — indicative

Eu acho que ele vem amanhã. (I think he is coming tomorrow.) — indicative in casual speech, but in more subjective contexts Brazilians may still use the indicative.

With pode ser que, however, always use the subjunctive because the phrase itself signals uncertainty.

Time reference and tense choices

Usually you will use the present subjunctive when the possibility refers to the present or near future. If you need to refer to a past possibility, use the imperfect subjunctive.

Present possibility:

Pode ser que ele chegue mais tarde. (He might arrive later.)

Use the present subjunctive: chegue, precise, vá.

Past possibility (imperfect subjunctive):

Pode ser que ele tivesse esquecido. (He might have forgotten.) — implies a past possibility

To form the imperfect subjunctive, take the third person plural of the preterite, remove -ram, and add -sse, -sses, -sse, -ssemos, -ssem.

Example imperfect subjunctive:

Falaram → que eu falasse, que nós falássemos

Combining pode ser que with other subordinating verbs

You can combine pode ser que with verbs of emotion, desire, or doubt in the main clause. The subordinate verb will still be in the subjunctive. The overall meaning will reflect layered uncertainty or attitude.

Examples:

Tenho medo de que, mas pode ser que ele aprenda rápido. (I am afraid that, but it might be that he learns quickly.)

Espero que, embora pouco provável, pode ser que consigamos. (I hope that, although unlikely, we might succeed.)

Note: In complex sentences, check which verb governs the mood. If a clause contains two triggers for the subjunctive, the subordinate clause will still use the subjunctive form appropriate to the time reference.

Cultural and usage notes

In Brazilian Portuguese, pode ser que is very common in both casual conversation and media speech. It reflects a conversational style that allows for uncertainty without committing to a statement. Brazilians frequently use modal expressions like pode ser que, talvez, and é possível que to soften statements and avoid sounding too direct—this is part of pragmatic politeness.

Register tip:

For formal written Portuguese, you might prefer é possível que or é provável que. In everyday speech, pode ser que and talvez are perfectly natural.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Using the indicative after pode ser que — always use the subjunctive.

Incorrect: Pode ser que ele vem.

Correct: Pode ser que ele venha.

2. Omitting que in formal contexts — keep que for clarity.

Less formal: Pode ser ele venha.

Preferred: Pode ser que ele venha.

3. Confusing tense — choose present subjunctive for present/near future, imperfect subjunctive for past possibilities.

More real-life examples

Pode ser que eu não consiga ir ao jantar. (I might not be able to go to dinner.)

Pode ser que o filme comece às oito. (The movie might start at eight.)

Pode ser que você precise falar com o gerente. (You may need to speak with the manager.)

Pode ser que eles já tenham saído. (They may have already left.)

Quick reference summary

– Use Pode ser que to express possibility or uncertainty.

– Always follow with a verb in the subjunctive.

– Use present subjunctive for present/near future, imperfect subjunctive for past possibilities.

– For negative, place não before pode ser que.

– Alternatives include talvez, é possível que, and é provável que.

Conclusion

Pode ser que is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate possibility in Brazilian Portuguese. Remember to use the subjunctive after it, choose the correct tense for time reference, and favor the full phrase with que in more formal contexts. With the patterns and examples in this article, you should feel confident recognizing and producing sentences with pode ser que in everyday conversation.