Why “Tomara que ele vai” Is Wrong in Portuguese

Introduction

Many learners of Brazilian Portuguese hear or read the sentence Tomara que ele vai and instinctively feel it is incorrect, but they may not know why. This article explains the grammar behind this intuition, shows the correct forms, and gives clear examples so you can confidently use expressions of hope in Portuguese.

What is the problem with Tomara que ele vai?

The phrase Tomara que ele vai mixes two different moods in Portuguese: the expression of wish or hope with a clause that uses the indicative mood. In standard Brazilian Portuguese, after certain expressions of desire, doubt, emotion, or possibility we use the subjunctive mood, not the indicative. Therefore, Tomara que ele vai is considered grammatically incorrect by normative grammar.

What is Tomara que?

Tomara que is a colloquial fixed expression used to express hope or wish, similar to I hope or Hopefully in English. It is short for tomara que aconteça, but in everyday speech the verb is omitted and the phrase functions as a marker that the speaker hopes for something.

Subjunctive vs. Indicative: The basic difference

Portuguese verbs have different moods. Two of the most important are the indicative and the subjunctive.

The indicative mood states facts, certainties, or beliefs the speaker treats as real or likely. For example:

Ele vai chegar às oito.

The subjunctive mood expresses doubt, uncertainty, wish, emotion, or hypothetical situations. After expressions like esperançar, duvidar, desejar, and certain conjunctions such as para que or antes que, Portuguese typically uses the subjunctive:

Espero que ele chegue às oito.

Why hope requires the subjunctive

When you say Tomara que, you are expressing a hope about something that has not yet happened and may or may not happen. Grammatically, this calls for the subjunctive because the action is hypothetical or desired rather than factual. Therefore, instead of using the present indicative vai, you should use the present subjunctive vá (from ir) or the present subjunctive of the verb you need.

Correct alternatives to Tomara que ele vai

Here are the standard ways to express the intended meaning.

Use the present subjunctive:

Tomara que ele vá.

Use the present indicative with a neutral hope marker (less formal but acceptable in some spoken contexts):

Espero que ele vai chegar cedo. (colloquial, but not recommended in careful speech)

Use other expressions of hope that can be followed by the infinitive or indicative in natural Portuguese:

Tomara que ele chegue cedo.

Oxalá ele venha. (Oxalá is another strong marker of hope, often followed by the subjunctive)

Examples with different verbs

Tomara que ela consiga o emprego.
Tomara que nós encontremos um bom restaurante.
Tomara que vocês possam vir amanhã.
Tomara que eu não me esqueça.

When speakers use the indicative after Tomara que

In informal spoken Brazilian Portuguese, some people may use the indicative after Tomara que out of habit, regional usage, or casual speech. For example, you might hear Tomara que ele vem or Tomara que ele vai. While this occurs in real speech, it is considered nonstandard and can be marked as colloquial or incorrect in formal contexts. If you want to sound more natural and correct, especially in writing or formal conversation, use the subjunctive.

Regional and register variation

Brazilian Portuguese is diverse. Some regions and social groups show more tolerance for indicative after hope expressions. However, formal media, textbooks, and educated speakers prefer the subjunctive. Learners aiming for standard Brazilian Portuguese should stick with the subjunctive after Tomara que.

Grammar rules step by step

Follow these simple steps when you form sentences with Tomara que:

1. Identify the verb in the subordinate clause that expresses the hoped-for action.
2. Conjugate that verb in the present subjunctive for present or future hopes.
3. Use the past subjunctive for wishes about the past or unreal past situations.

How to form the present subjunctive

For regular verbs, take the first-person singular of the present indicative, drop the -o, and add the subjunctive endings. Examples:

Falar: eu falo → que eu fale, que ele fale.
Comer: eu como → que eu coma, que ele coma.
Partir: eu parto → que eu parta, que ele parta.

Ir is irregular: eu vou → que eu vá, que ele vá.

Examples of present and past subjunctive

Present hope about the future:
Tomara que ele vá à festa amanhã.

Wish about the past (use past subjunctive):
Tomara que ele tivesse ido à festa.
This expresses regret or a wish that something in the past had happened differently.

Other structures for expressing hope

Understanding alternative constructions helps you avoid mistakes and vary your speech. Besides Tomara que, you can use expressions such as:

Espero que + subjunctive: Espero que ele venha.
Oxalá + subjunctive: Oxalá ele esteja bem.
Que + subjunctive (common in colloquial Portuguese): Que você se dê bem.
Eu espero + indicative (for beliefs or expectations considered likely): Eu espero que ele vem amanhã. (again, common in speech but not ideal in formal contexts)

When to use indicative with hope-like meanings

Sometimes the speaker’s attitude turns a sentence of hope into an expectation or prediction. In those cases, the indicative may be appropriate because the speaker treats the event as likely:

Ele vai chegar às oito, espero.
Here the main clause is indicative and the speaker expresses expectation rather than pure hope.

Common verbs and their subjunctive forms

Here are useful verbs often used after Tomara que with their present subjunctive forms (third person singular):

Ir → vá
Chegar → chegue
Poder → possa
Conseguir → consiga
Vir → venha
Lembrar-se → se lembre

Example sentences:

Tomara que ele consiga a promoção.
Tomara que ela se lembre do compromisso.
Tomara que vocês possam vir cedo.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Many learners transfer directly from English, saying I hope he goes and using an indicative-like structure in Portuguese. To avoid mistakes:

– Remember that Tomara que triggers the subjunctive.
– Learn common irregular subjunctive forms (e.g., vá, esteja, possa, saiba).
– When in doubt, use the subjunctive after expressions of hope, doubt, desire, or emotion.

Practical tip for learners

Practice a short list of high-frequency verbs in the subjunctive so they become automatic. For verbs like ir, ser, estar, poder, and ter, memorize the present subjunctive forms because they appear often after Tomara que and similar expressions.

Cultural and usage notes

Tomara is a very Brazilian-sounding expression and appears often in spoken language, song lyrics, and informal writing. It carries a sense of sincere hope and sometimes a bit of resignation. Using the subjunctive after Tomara que aligns your speech with standard grammar, but hearers will still understand you if you slip into colloquial indicative forms in casual conversation.

Oxalá is another cultural item worth knowing. It has Arabic origins and is widely used in Portuguese to express strong hope. Like Tomara que, it usually requires the subjunctive: Oxalá tudo dê certo.

Quick reference summary

If you need a fast rule to remember: after Tomara que use the subjunctive. For present or future hopes, use the present subjunctive. For wishes about the past, use the past subjunctive. Avoid mixing Tomara que with the present indicative such as vai, vem, or chega in standard Portuguese.

Conclusion

The sentence Tomara que ele vai is considered incorrect because Tomara que expresses a wish and therefore requires the subjunctive mood. Use forms like Tomara que ele vá or Tomara que ele chegue to be grammatically correct in standard Brazilian Portuguese. Practice the subjunctive with common verbs, and you will soon feel comfortable expressing hopes and wishes naturally.