Portuguese grammar · Intermediate (B1)
The present subjunctive
How to form the present subjunctive (fale, faça, seja) and when to use it: doubt, feelings, wishes, advice, tomara que, para que, and tenha feito.
What is the subjunctive?
The “subjunctive” is a second set of verb forms. It doesn't show a different time. It shows that the sentence is about doubt, wishes, feelings or advice rather than plain facts. It usually comes after , and very often the second verb has a different subject: (I want you to come).
Compare (I think he's at home: an opinion, normal verb) and (I don't think he's at home: doubt, subjunctive).
- Acho que ele está em casa.I think he's at home. · an opinion: normal verb
- Não acho que ele esteja em casa.I don't think he's at home. · doubt: subjunctive
Regular forms
Take the form of the present, drop the -o and swap the vowel: -ar verbs take -e, -er and -ir verbs take -a. These are the same forms as the standard imperative (, ). Irregular forms carry over: → , → , → , → , → , → , → .
Some verbs change their spelling to keep the same sound: → , → , → .
| Person | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| / / | ||||
| / / |
Irregular verbs
Seven common verbs don't follow the rule. is only used in the form (there is, there may be).
| Infinitive | / / | / | |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | — |
- Tomara que seja verdade.I hope it's true.
- Espero que vocês estejam bem.I hope you're all well.
When to use it
Use the subjunctive after doubt, feelings, wishes, advice and purpose when the second verb has a different subject. With the same subject, use the infinitive: (I want to go), but (I want you to go). The personal infinitive is often an easier alternative: .
(perhaps) takes the subjunctive when it comes before the verb: . Note that and about the future take the future subjunctive, not the present: .
| After… | Example |
|---|---|
| doubt: | (I doubt he knows the answer.) |
| feelings: | (What a shame you can't come.) |
| wishes: | (I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.) |
| advice: | (It's important that you rest.) |
| purpose: | (I'll explain again so that everyone understands.) |
| contrast: | (Although I'm tired, I'm going to the party.) |
- Quero que você conheça a minha família.I want you to meet my family.
- Espero que dê tudo certo.I hope everything goes well.
- Talvez eu vá ao show amanhã.Maybe I'll go to the concert tomorrow.
The perfect subjunctive: tenha feito
The present subjunctive of (, , ) + participle is used for something that may already have happened, after the same expressions: (I hope you liked it).
- Espero que você tenha gostado do filme.I hope you enjoyed the film.
- Duvido que ele tenha lido o livro.I doubt he's read the book.
- É possível que eles já tenham saído.They may have already left.
- Tomara que ela tenha conseguido o emprego.I hope she got the job.