Conditional Sentences Structure in Portuguese

Conditional sentences, often referred to as “if-clauses,” are an essential part of any language, enabling speakers to discuss possibilities, hypothetical situations, and their consequences. In Portuguese, mastering conditional sentences is crucial for effective communication. This article delves into the structure of conditional sentences in Portuguese, helping English speakers understand how to form and use them correctly.

Understanding Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences typically consist of two parts: the “if” clause (protasis) and the main clause (apodosis). In Portuguese, these clauses can be arranged in different ways to convey various meanings, such as real situations, hypothetical scenarios, and impossibilities.

Zero Conditional

The zero conditional is used for general truths, facts, and things that always happen under certain conditions. It is similar to English and is formed using the present indicative tense in both clauses.

Structure: Se + present indicative, present indicative

Example:
– Se chove, a grama fica molhada.
– If it rains, the grass gets wet.

In this example, the condition (if it rains) always leads to the result (the grass gets wet). The zero conditional is straightforward because it deals with facts and inevitable outcomes.

First Conditional

The first conditional discusses real and possible situations in the future. It uses the present indicative in the “if” clause and the future indicative in the main clause.

Structure: Se + present indicative, future indicative

Example:
– Se eu estudar, passarei no exame.
– If I study, I will pass the exam.

Here, the condition (if I study) is likely to happen, and the result (I will pass the exam) is a probable outcome.

Second Conditional

The second conditional explores hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future. It uses the imperfect subjunctive in the “if” clause and the conditional tense in the main clause.

Structure: Se + imperfect subjunctive, conditional

Example:
– Se eu tivesse dinheiro, compraria um carro novo.
– If I had money, I would buy a new car.

In this case, the condition (if I had money) is not true or unlikely, and the result (I would buy a new car) is a hypothetical outcome.

Third Conditional

The third conditional deals with past situations that did not happen. It uses the pluperfect subjunctive in the “if” clause and the conditional perfect in the main clause.

Structure: Se + pluperfect subjunctive, conditional perfect

Example:
– Se eu tivesse estudado mais, teria passado no exame.
– If I had studied more, I would have passed the exam.

Here, the condition (if I had studied more) did not occur, and the result (I would have passed the exam) is an impossible past outcome.

Subjunctive Mood in Conditional Sentences

The subjunctive mood is crucial in Portuguese conditional sentences, particularly in the second and third conditionals. Understanding how to conjugate verbs in the subjunctive mood is essential for forming accurate conditional sentences.

Imperfect Subjunctive

To form the imperfect subjunctive, start with the third person plural form of the preterite indicative, drop the ending “-ram,” and add the subjunctive endings: -sse, -sses, -sse, -ssemos, -ssem.

Example:
– Verbo “ter” (to have): tivessem (they had)
– Se eu tivesse (if I had)
– Se tu tivesses (if you had)
– Se ele/ela tivesse (if he/she had)
– Se nós tivéssemos (if we had)
– Se eles/elas tivessem (if they had)

Pluperfect Subjunctive

The pluperfect subjunctive is formed by adding the imperfect subjunctive endings to the infinitive stem of the verb.

Example:
– Verbo “estudar” (to study): tivesse estudado (had studied)
– Se eu tivesse estudado (if I had studied)
– Se tu tivesses estudado (if you had studied)
– Se ele/ela tivesse estudado (if he/she had studied)
– Se nós tivéssemos estudado (if we had studied)
– Se eles/elas tivessem estudado (if they had studied)

Common Pitfalls and Tips

Mastering conditional sentences in Portuguese can be challenging, especially for English speakers. Here are some common pitfalls and tips to help you navigate this topic more effectively.

Mixing Tenses

One common mistake is mixing tenses incorrectly. Ensure you use the appropriate tense for each type of conditional sentence. For instance, don’t use the present indicative in the main clause of a second conditional sentence.

Incorrect: Se eu tivesse dinheiro, compro um carro novo.
Correct: Se eu tivesse dinheiro, compraria um carro novo.

Forgetting the Subjunctive

Another frequent error is forgetting to use the subjunctive mood where required. The subjunctive is essential in the second and third conditionals to convey hypothetical or unreal situations.

Incorrect: Se eu tinha estudado mais, teria passado no exame.
Correct: Se eu tivesse estudado mais, teria passado no exame.

Practice with Examples

The best way to master conditional sentences is through practice. Create your own sentences and check them with native speakers or language learning resources. Here are a few more examples to help you get started:

Zero Conditional:
– Se você aquece água a 100 graus, ela ferve.
– If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.

First Conditional:
– Se ele chegar a tempo, nós iremos ao cinema.
– If he arrives on time, we will go to the movies.

Second Conditional:
– Se eu fosse rico, viajaria pelo mundo.
– If I were rich, I would travel the world.

Third Conditional:
– Se eles tivessem visto o sinal, teriam parado.
– If they had seen the sign, they would have stopped.

Conclusion

Understanding and using conditional sentences in Portuguese is a vital skill for language learners. By mastering the different types of conditionals and the subjunctive mood, you can express a wide range of possibilities, hypothetical situations, and unreal scenarios. Remember to practice regularly and seek feedback to ensure you are using these structures correctly. With time and effort, you will find yourself more comfortable and confident in your ability to communicate complex ideas in Portuguese.