Pretérito Perfeito Composto do Subjuntivo (Present Perfect Subjunctive)
The Present Perfect Subjunctive (Pretérito Perfeito Composto do Subjuntivo) in Portuguese is used to express actions that may have been completed in the past but are still relevant to the present moment. It often appears in contexts involving doubt, possibility, emotion, or uncertainty.
Formation
It is formed using the auxiliary verb ter in the present subjunctive followed by the past participle of the main verb. The structure is the same for -ar, -er, and -ir verbs.
| Auxiliary (ter) | Example Verb | Conjugation (Eu form) | Conjugation (Nós form) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ter + Participle | falar (to speak) | que eu tenha falado | que nós tenhamos falado |
| ter + Participle | comer (to eat) | que eu tenha comido | que nós tenhamos comido |
| ter + Participle | partir (to leave) | que eu tenha partido | que nós tenhamos partido |
Usage
Expressing Doubt or Uncertainty about completed actions with present relevance.
- Espero que ele tenha chegado. (I hope he has arrived.)
Talking About Possible Past Events when the outcome is not confirmed.
- É possível que eles tenham terminado o trabalho. (It’s possible that they have finished the work.)
Showing Emotion or Judgment toward something that may have happened.
- Lamento que você tenha perdido a oportunidade. (I regret that you have missed the opportunity.)
Differences Between Brazilian and European Portuguese
- The form and meaning are essentially the same in Brazilian Portuguese (BP) and European Portuguese (EP).
- In EP, it may be slightly less common in casual speech, where simpler forms or indicative tenses might replace it, but it remains standard in formal and written contexts.
Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs in the Present Perfect Subjunctive follow the same auxiliary + participle structure, but their past participles are irregular:
| Verb | Past Participle | Example (Eu form) |
|---|---|---|
| fazer (to do/make) | feito | que eu tenha feito |
| ver (to see) | visto | que eu tenha visto |
| escrever (to write) | escrito | que eu tenha escrito |
| abrir (to open) | aberto | que eu tenha aberto |
Note: Mastering irregular participles is important, as they are common in everyday usage.
Summary
The Present Perfect Subjunctive is used to talk about actions that may have happened in the past and remain relevant to the present, often in uncertain or subjective contexts.
Examples
- Espero que você tenha estudado para o exame. (I hope you have studied for the exam.)
- Duvido que eles tenham terminado o projeto. (I doubt they have finished the project.)
- É bom que nós tenhamos conversado sobre isso. (It’s good that we have talked about this.)
