Presente do Subjuntivo (Present Subjunctive)
The presente do subjuntivo is used to express doubt, wishes, uncertainty, emotions, or hypothetical situations in the present or future.
It often appears in dependent clauses introduced by certain conjunctions or expressions.
Mood
The subjunctive mood expresses possibility, doubt, desire, or hypothetical situations rather than certainty or fact.
The present tense in the subjunctive mood refers to actions in the present or future that are uncertain or dependent on another event.
- Subjunctive mood = possibility, uncertainty, subjectivity
- Present tense = present or future time frame
Formation
Start with the first-person singular (eu) form of the presente do indicativo, remove the final -o, and add the subjunctive endings:
- -ar verbs → endings start with -e
- -er and -ir verbs → endings start with -a
| Person | AR Example (falar) | ER Example (comer) | IR Example (partir) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eu (I) | fale | coma | parta |
| Tu (you, sg.) | fales | comas | partas |
| Ele/Ela/Você | fale | coma | parta |
| Nós (we) | falemos | comamos | partamos |
| Vós (you, pl.) | faleis | comais | partais |
| Eles/Elas/Vocês | falem | comam | partam |
Usage
- Expressing desires or wishes:
Espero que ele fale. (I hope he speaks.) - Expressing doubt or uncertainty:
É possível que ela venha. (It’s possible that she comes.) - Hypothetical or conditional situations:
Mesmo que ele tente, não conseguirá. (Even if he tries, he won’t succeed.) - After certain conjunctions:
Embora estude, não tira boas notas. (Although he studies, he doesn’t get good grades.)
Irregular Verbs
Some verbs have irregular stems in the present subjunctive:
| Verb | Eu form (Indicative) | Subjunctive Stem | Example (Eu form) |
|---|---|---|---|
| estar | estou | estej- | eu esteja |
| ser | sou | sej- | eu seja |
| ir | vou | vá- | eu vá |
| saber | sei | saib- | eu saiba |
| haver | hei | haj- | haja |
| dar | dou | dê- | eu dê |
| querer | quero | queir- | eu queira |
Brazilian Portuguese Differences
- Pronouns & conjugation:
- BP often uses você instead of tu, with verbs conjugated like ele/ela:
- BP: Espero que você fale
- EP: Espero que tu fales
- BP often uses você instead of tu, with verbs conjugated like ele/ela:
- Usage frequency:
- Structure and meaning are the same in BP and EP.
- Some BP speakers may use the indicative in informal speech where EP keeps the subjunctive.
- Examples:
- BP: É bom que você chegue cedo.
- EP: É bom que tu chegues cedo.
Common Time Expressions & Triggers
- Espero que (I hope that)
- É possível que (It’s possible that)
- Embora (although)
- Mesmo que (even if)
- Caso (in case)
Examples
- Quero que ela venha à reunião. (I want her to come to the meeting.)
- Talvez eles estudem esta noite. (Maybe they will study tonight.)
- É provável que partamos amanhã. (It’s likely that we leave tomorrow.)
- Embora chova, vamos sair. (Although it rains, we will go out.)
