Portuguese verb · irregular · first needed at beginner level (A1)

poder

can, to be able to

Irregular in the present () and the preterite (). The past form (he could) keeps its circumflex to tell it apart from the present (he can).

Speed:

Present

Presente

What happens now or usually, and fixed plans for the near future.

Pretérito perfeito

Finished actions in the past: , , . Often also English “have done” ().

Pretérito imperfeito

Habits, descriptions and background in the past: “used to…” or “was …ing”.

Futuro do presente

What will happen. Mostly written or formal; in everyday speech Brazilians say + infinitive instead.

Futuro do pretérito

What would happen, and polite requests. In speech the imperfect often replaces it.

Presente do subjuntivo

After with wishes, doubts and feelings: …, …, …

Pretérito imperfeito do subjuntivo

After in unreal conditions and after past wishes: …, …

Futuro do subjuntivo

After , and about the future: …, …