The subjunctive mood is a fascinating and often challenging aspect of the Portuguese language. It is used to express doubts, wishes, possibilities, and hypothetical situations, among other things. For English speakers learning Portuguese, mastering the subjunctive mood can seem daunting at first, but with the right approach and understanding, it can become a powerful tool in your language arsenal. This article aims to demystify the subjunctive mood in Portuguese, providing clear explanations, practical examples, and useful tips to help you use it confidently and correctly.
Understanding the Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood is not unique to Portuguese; it exists in many languages, including English. However, its usage in Portuguese is more frequent and nuanced. The subjunctive mood is used to express actions or states that are uncertain, hypothetical, or not yet realized. It contrasts with the indicative mood, which is used for statements of fact and certainty.
When to Use the Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood is typically used in the following contexts:
1. **Expressing Wishes and Desires:**
– Example: Espero que você tenha um bom dia. (I hope you have a good day.)
2. **Expressing Doubts or Uncertainty:**
– Example: Não acho que ele esteja em casa. (I don’t think he’s at home.)
3. **Expressing Possibilities or Hypothetical Situations:**
– Example: Se eu fosse rico, viajaria pelo mundo. (If I were rich, I would travel the world.)
4. **Giving Commands or Suggestions in a Subtle Way:**
– Example: É importante que você estude para o exame. (It’s important that you study for the exam.)
5. **After Certain Conjunctions:**
– Example: Vou sair antes que comece a chover. (I will leave before it starts to rain.)
Forming the Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood in Portuguese has three main tenses: present subjunctive, imperfect subjunctive, and future subjunctive. Let’s explore how to form each of these tenses.
Present Subjunctive
To form the present subjunctive, start with the first person singular (eu) form of the present indicative, drop the final -o, and add the subjunctive endings. Here are the endings for regular verbs:
– **-ar verbs:**
– eu: -e
– tu: -es
– ele/ela/você: -e
– nós: -emos
– vós: -eis
– eles/elas/vocês: -em
– **-er and -ir verbs:**
– eu: -a
– tu: -as
– ele/ela/você: -a
– nós: -amos
– vós: -ais
– eles/elas/vocês: -am
Examples:
– Falar (to speak): que eu fale, que tu fales, que ele/ela/você fale, que nós falemos, que vós faleis, que eles/elas/vocês falem
– Comer (to eat): que eu coma, que tu comas, que ele/ela/você coma, que nós comamos, que vós comais, que eles/elas/vocês comam
– Partir (to leave): que eu parta, que tu partas, que ele/ela/você parta, que nós partamos, que vós partais, que eles/elas/vocês partam
Imperfect Subjunctive
The imperfect subjunctive is formed from the third person plural (eles/elas) form of the preterite indicative. Drop the final -ram and add the imperfect subjunctive endings:
– eu: -sse
– tu: -sses
– ele/ela/você: -sse
– nós: -ssemos
– vós: -sseis
– eles/elas/vocês: -ssem
Examples:
– Falar: que eu falasse, que tu falasses, que ele/ela/você falasse, que nós falássemos, que vós falásseis, que eles/elas/vocês falassem
– Comer: que eu comesse, que tu comesses, que ele/ela/você comesse, que nós comêssemos, que vós comêsseis, que eles/elas/vocês comessem
– Partir: que eu partisse, que tu partisses, que ele/ela/você partisse, que nós partíssemos, que vós partísseis, que eles/elas/vocês partissem
Future Subjunctive
The future subjunctive is formed from the infinitive form of the verb. The endings are added directly to the infinitive form:
– eu: –
– tu: -es
– ele/ela/você: –
– nós: -mos
– vós: -des
– eles/elas/vocês: -em
Examples:
– Falar: quando eu falar, quando tu falares, quando ele/ela/você falar, quando nós falarmos, quando vós falardes, quando eles/elas/vocês falarem
– Comer: quando eu comer, quando tu comeres, quando ele/ela/você comer, quando nós comermos, quando vós comerdes, quando eles/elas/vocês comerem
– Partir: quando eu partir, quando tu partires, quando ele/ela/você partir, quando nós partirmos, quando vós partirdes, quando eles/elas/vocês partirem
Common Expressions and Conjunctions
Certain expressions and conjunctions often trigger the use of the subjunctive mood in Portuguese. Here are some of the most common ones:
Expressions of Desire, Doubt, or Emotion:
– Espero que (I hope that)
– Duvido que (I doubt that)
– É possível que (It is possible that)
– É importante que (It is important that)
– Tenho medo que (I am afraid that)
Conjunctions:
– Antes que (before)
– Para que (so that)
– Embora (although)
– Caso (in case)
– A menos que (unless)
– Sem que (without)
Examples:
– Espero que você venha à festa. (I hope you come to the party.)
– Duvido que ele saiba a resposta. (I doubt he knows the answer.)
– Vou te ligar antes que eu saia. (I will call you before I leave.)
– Vamos embora a menos que chova. (We will leave unless it rains.)
Practice Makes Perfect
Like any aspect of language learning, mastering the subjunctive mood in Portuguese requires practice. Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. **Read and Listen:**
Immerse yourself in Portuguese by reading books, articles, and listening to music, podcasts, or watching movies. Pay attention to how the subjunctive is used in different contexts.
2. **Write:**
Practice writing sentences and paragraphs using the subjunctive mood. Start with simple sentences and gradually move to more complex ones.
3. **Speak:**
Engage in conversations with native speakers or fellow learners. Try to incorporate the subjunctive mood into your speech whenever appropriate.
4. **Use Flashcards:**
Create flashcards with different expressions and conjunctions that trigger the subjunctive mood. Practice forming sentences using these triggers.
5. **Take a Course:**
Consider taking a Portuguese course that focuses on the subjunctive mood. A structured learning environment can provide valuable guidance and feedback.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
As you practice the subjunctive mood, be aware of some common mistakes that learners often make:
1. **Confusing the Subjunctive with the Indicative:**
Remember that the subjunctive is used for uncertainty, doubt, and hypothetical situations, while the indicative is used for facts and certainty.
2. **Using the Wrong Tense:**
Make sure to use the correct tense of the subjunctive mood based on the context. For example, use the present subjunctive for present or future uncertainty and the imperfect subjunctive for past hypothetical situations.
3. **Forgetting Irregular Verbs:**
Some verbs have irregular forms in the subjunctive mood. Make sure to learn and practice these irregular forms.
Examples of irregular verbs in the present subjunctive:
– Ser (to be): que eu seja, que tu sejas, que ele/ela/você seja, que nós sejamos, que vós sejais, que eles/elas/vocês sejam
– Ir (to go): que eu vá, que tu vás, que ele/ela/você vá, que nós vamos, que vós vades, que eles/elas/vocês vão
– Ter (to have): que eu tenha, que tu tenhas, que ele/ela/você tenha, que nós tenhamos, que vós tenhais, que eles/elas/vocês tenham
Conclusion
Mastering the subjunctive mood in Portuguese is a journey that requires time, patience, and practice. By understanding its usage, learning how to form the different tenses, and practicing regularly, you can become proficient in using this essential aspect of the Portuguese language. Remember to immerse yourself in the language, practice speaking and writing, and seek feedback from native speakers or teachers. With dedication and effort, you will find that the subjunctive mood becomes a natural and integral part of your Portuguese communication. Boa sorte! (Good luck!)
