Introduction
The subjunctive mood represents one of the most challenging yet essential aspects of Portuguese grammar for English speakers. Unlike the indicative mood that expresses facts and certainties, the subjunctive conveys doubt, wishes, emotions, and hypothetical situations. Mastering this mood unlocks more nuanced and authentic Portuguese communication.
Understanding the Subjunctive Mood
What Makes the Subjunctive Different
In Portuguese, verbs can be conjugated in different moods that reflect the speaker’s attitude toward the action. The indicative mood states facts and certainties, while the subjuntivo (subjunctive) expresses subjectivity, uncertainty, and emotional responses. This grammatical tool allows speakers to navigate the subtle territory between what is real and what is desired, feared, or imagined.
Consider these contrasting examples:
Eu sei que ele vem. (I know that he is coming.) – Indicative
Eu espero que ele venha. (I hope that he comes.) – Subjunctive
In the first sentence, the speaker states a known fact using the indicative. In the second, the subjuntivo appears because hope introduces uncertainty about whether the action will actually occur.
When English Speakers Struggle
English once had a robust subjunctive mood, but today it survives in only a few constructions like If I were you or I suggest that he be careful. Portuguese speakers, however, use the subjuntivo regularly in everyday conversation, making it an unavoidable feature of fluent communication.
The challenge for learners lies not just in memorizing conjugations but in developing an intuition for when the subjunctive is required. Native speakers internalize these patterns naturally, but adult learners must consciously recognize the triggers that demand subjunctive usage.
The Three Subjunctive Tenses
Present Subjunctive
The presente do subjuntivo (present subjunctive) is the most frequently used subjunctive tense. It appears in dependent clauses when the main clause expresses present or future wishes, doubts, emotions, or recommendations.
Regular verb formation involves taking the first-person singular present indicative form, removing the final -o, and adding specific endings:
For -AR verbs (falar – to speak):
que eu fale
que você/ele/ela fale
que nós falemos
que vocês/eles/elas falem
For -ER verbs (comer – to eat):
que eu coma
que você/ele/ela coma
que nós comamos
que vocês/eles/elas comam
For -IR verbs (partir – to leave):
que eu parta
que você/ele/ela parta
que nós partamos
que vocês/eles/elas partam
Notice how the presente do subjuntivo often appears after the conjunction que (that), which introduces the dependent clause.
Imperfect Subjunctive
The pretérito imperfeito do subjuntivo (imperfect subjunctive) corresponds to past situations or hypothetical conditions. This tense forms from the third-person plural preterite indicative stem.
Formation example with falar:
eles falaram (preterite) → fala- (stem) + subjunctive endings
se eu falasse
se você/ele/ela falasse
se nós falássemos
se vocês/eles/elas falassem
The pretérito imperfeito do subjuntivo frequently appears in conditional sentences:
Se eu tivesse dinheiro, eu viajaria. (If I had money, I would travel.)
Future Subjunctive
The futuro do subjuntivo (future subjunctive) is unique to Portuguese among Romance languages. It expresses hypothetical future conditions and appears primarily after certain conjunctions like quando (when), se (if), and assim que (as soon as).
Formation uses the same preterite stem as the imperfect subjunctive but with different endings:
quando eu falar
quando você/ele/ela falar
quando nós falarmos
quando vocês/eles/elas falarem
Example: Quando você chegar, me ligue. (When you arrive, call me.)
This tense has no direct English equivalent, and English speakers often mistakenly use the present indicative in these contexts.
Common Triggers for the Subjunctive
Expressions of Doubt and Uncertainty
Whenever speakers express doubt about whether something is true or will happen, the subjuntivo becomes necessary. Common doubt expressions include:
Duvidar que (to doubt that):
Eu duvido que ele saiba a verdade. (I doubt that he knows the truth.)
Não achar que (to not think that):
Não acho que seja uma boa ideia. (I don’t think it’s a good idea.)
Talvez (maybe, perhaps):
Talvez ela venha amanhã. (Maybe she’ll come tomorrow.)
Note that when certainty exists, the indicative returns. Compare:
Duvido que ele venha. (I doubt he’ll come.) – Subjunctive
Tenho certeza que ele vem. (I’m sure he’ll come.) – Indicative
Wishes, Desires, and Hopes
Expressing what we want or hope for naturally involves uncertainty, since these outcomes aren’t guaranteed. Key verbs triggering the subjuntivo include:
Querer que (to want that):
Quero que você seja feliz. (I want you to be happy.)
Esperar que (to hope that):
Espero que tudo dê certo. (I hope everything works out.)
Desejar que (to wish that):
Desejo que tenha um bom dia. (I wish you have a good day.)
Preferir que (to prefer that):
Prefiro que fiquemos em casa. (I prefer that we stay home.)
Emotional Reactions
When expressing feelings about a situation, Portuguese requires the subjunctive to convey the subjective, emotional response:
Estar feliz que (to be happy that):
Estou feliz que você esteja aqui. (I’m happy that you’re here.)
Ter medo que (to be afraid that):
Tenho medo que chova. (I’m afraid it will rain.)
É triste que (it’s sad that):
É triste que ele não possa vir. (It’s sad that he can’t come.)
Lamentar que (to regret that):
Lamento que tenha acontecido. (I regret that it happened.)
Impersonal Expressions
Many impersonal expressions using é (it is) plus an adjective trigger the subjuntivo because they express judgments or evaluations rather than objective facts:
É importante que (it’s important that)
É necessário que (it’s necessary that)
É possível que (it’s possible that)
É bom que (it’s good that)
É provável que (it’s probable that)
Examples:
É importante que você estude. (It’s important that you study.)
É possível que eles cheguem tarde. (It’s possible that they’ll arrive late.)
However, when the impersonal expression indicates certainty, the indicative appears:
É verdade que ele trabalha aqui. (It’s true that he works here.)
Commands and Requests
Polite commands and suggestions frequently employ the subjunctive:
Sugerir que (to suggest that):
Sugiro que conversemos depois. (I suggest that we talk later.)
Recomendar que (to recommend that):
Recomendo que façam reserva. (I recommend that you make a reservation.)
Pedir que (to ask that):
Peço que me escutem. (I ask that you listen to me.)
Conjunctions That Require the Subjunctive
Purpose and Condition Conjunctions
Certain conjunctions always trigger the subjunctive because they inherently express purpose, condition, or concession:
Para que (so that, in order that):
Estou explicando para que você entenda. (I’m explaining so that you understand.)
Antes que (before):
Saia antes que seja tarde. (Leave before it’s too late.)
Sem que (without):
Ele saiu sem que ninguém percebesse. (He left without anyone noticing.)
Embora (although):
Embora seja difícil, vou tentar. (Although it’s difficult, I’ll try.)
Caso (in case):
Leve um guarda-chuva, caso chova. (Take an umbrella in case it rains.)
Time Conjunctions With Future Reference
When time conjunctions refer to future or hypothetical events, the futuro do subjuntivo appears:
Quando (when):
Quando você vier, traga o livro. (When you come, bring the book.)
Assim que (as soon as):
Assim que eu souber, te aviso. (As soon as I know, I’ll let you know.)
Enquanto (while):
Enquanto você estiver aqui, aproveite. (While you’re here, enjoy yourself.)
Depois que (after):
Depois que terminar, podemos sair. (After you finish, we can leave.)
Irregular Subjunctive Verbs
Essential Irregular Verbs
Some of the most common Portuguese verbs have irregular subjunctive forms that must be memorized:
Ser (to be) – presente do subjuntivo:
que eu seja, que você seja, que nós sejamos, que vocês sejam
Estar (to be) – presente do subjuntivo:
que eu esteja, que você esteja, que nós estejamos, que vocês estejam
Ter (to have) – presente do subjuntivo:
que eu tenha, que você tenha, que nós tenhamos, que vocês tenham
Ir (to go) – presente do subjuntivo:
que eu vá, que você vá, que nós vamos, que vocês vão
Dar (to give) – presente do subjuntivo:
que eu dê, que você dê, que nós demos, que vocês deem
Saber (to know) – presente do subjuntivo:
que eu saiba, que você saiba, que nós saibamos, que vocês saibam
Querer (to want) – presente do subjuntivo:
que eu queira, que você queira, que nós queiramos, que vocês queiram
Stem-Changing Patterns
Some verbs undergo stem changes in the subjunctive that follow predictable patterns. These changes often mirror alterations in other tenses:
Verbs like dormir (to sleep) change -o- to -u- in certain forms:
que eu durma, que você durma, que nós durmamos, que vocês durmam
Verbs like pedir (to ask for) change -e- to -i-:
que eu peça, que você peça, que nós peçamos, que vocês peçam
Practical Applications and Usage Tips
Everyday Conversation
Native speakers use the subjunctive constantly in daily interactions without conscious thought. Here are common conversational phrases:
Que você tenha um bom dia! (May you have a good day!)
Espero que sim. (I hope so.)
Tomara que dê certo. (Let’s hope it works out.)
Pode ser que eu vá. (I might go.)
Seja o que for. (Whatever it may be.)
These expressions become automatic with practice and exposure to natural Portuguese.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Learners frequently make several predictable errors with the subjunctive:
Mixing up indicative and subjunctive after que. Remember that the main clause verb determines mood:
Incorrect: Eu sei que ele venha.
Correct: Eu sei que ele vem. (certainty = indicative)
Forgetting the futuro do subjuntivo after time conjunctions:
Incorrect: Quando você chega, me liga.
Correct: Quando você chegar, me liga.
Using subjunctive unnecessarily after verbs of perception or communication that state facts:
Incorrect: Vejo que ele esteja aqui.
Correct: Vejo que ele está aqui.
Building Intuition Through Practice
Developing subjunctive fluency requires extensive input and output practice. Focus on these strategies:
Read authentic Portuguese texts and notice subjunctive patterns in context. Song lyrics, social media posts, and news articles provide real-world examples.
Create personalized example sentences using your own life situations. This makes the grammar personally relevant and memorable.
Practice transforming sentences between moods. Take a simple statement and express it as a wish, doubt, or emotion to practice triggering the subjunctive.
Listen actively to native speakers and pay attention to verb endings. With time, your ear will recognize subjunctive forms automatically.
Cultural and Regional Considerations
Brazilian Usage Patterns
Brazilian Portuguese shows some tendencies that differ from European usage, though the core subjunctive rules remain consistent. Brazilians may simplify certain constructions in casual speech, sometimes replacing the subjunctive with indicative forms in informal contexts.
For example, in very casual conversation, you might hear:
Tomara que ele vem. (instead of venha)
However, this represents colloquial simplification rather than standard grammar. Learners should master the standard forms before adopting informal variations.
Formality and Politeness
The subjunctive plays an important role in expressing politeness and formality in Portuguese. Commands in the subjunctive sound softer and more respectful than imperative forms:
Que você tenha um ótimo final de semana! (May you have a great weekend!)
This construction expresses wishes more graciously than direct statements, making it valuable for professional and formal situations.
Advanced Subjunctive Contexts
Subjunctive in Relative Clauses
When relative clauses describe indefinite or non-existent antecedents, the subjunctive appears:
Procuro alguém que fale alemão. (I’m looking for someone who speaks German.)
In this case, the person doesn’t exist yet in the speaker’s reality, triggering fale rather than fala.
Compare with:
Conheço alguém que fala alemão. (I know someone who speaks German.)
Here, the person exists and is known, so the indicative fala appears.
Subjunctive With Superlatives
Superlative expressions often take the subjunctive to express subjective judgments:
É o melhor filme que eu já tenha visto. (It’s the best film I’ve ever seen.)
The subjunctive tenha visto emphasizes the speaker’s personal opinion about the superlative quality.
Hypothetical Conditions
Complex conditional sentences combine different subjunctive tenses with conditional mood verbs:
Se eu tivesse estudado mais, teria passado no exame. (If I had studied more, I would have passed the exam.)
The pretérito imperfeito do subjuntivo (tivesse estudado) creates the hypothetical past condition, while the conditional (teria passado) expresses the unrealized consequence.
Conclusion
The subjunctive mood represents a cornerstone of authentic Portuguese expression, enabling speakers to navigate uncertainty, emotion, and hypothetical scenarios with grammatical precision. While initially challenging for English speakers, consistent practice with trigger patterns, conjugations, and authentic contexts builds genuine fluency. Embrace the subjunctive as a tool that enriches your communication and connects you more deeply with Portuguese language and culture.
