Present subjunctive (e.g.: Quero que fales)

An Overview of the Present Subjunctive

Portuguese makes extensive use of the subjunctive, which is a special verb form used after certain verbs and expressions. To master the subjunctive, you need to know:

1. how to form the subjunctive of a verb

2. which verbs and expressions trigger its use

English uses the subjunctive only rarely, but Portuguese uses it much more frequently to express uncertainty, desire, emotion, or doubt.

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How to Form the Present Subjunctive

For most verbs, the subjunctive stem is based on the present indicative “eu” form:

• eu tenho → tenh-

• eu falo → fal-

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-ar verbs (e.g.: falar)

Change -a → -e:

Subject	Form
eu	fale
tu	fales
ele/ela/você	fale
nós	falemos
vocês/eles	falem

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-er / -ir verbs (e.g.: vender, partir)

Change -e / -i → -a:

Subject	Form
eu	venda / parta
tu	vendas / partas
ele/ela/você	venda / parta
nós	vendamos / partamos
vocês/eles	vendam / partam

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⚠️ Spelling changes

Some verbs have spelling changes to preserve pronunciation:

• ficar → fique

• pagar → pague

• começar → comece

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Common Irregular Verbs

Some high-frequency verbs are irregular:

• ir → vá, vamos, vão

• ser → seja, sejamos

• estar → esteja, estejamos

• dar → dê, demos

• saber → saiba, saibamos

• haver → haja, hajamos

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When to Use the Subjunctive

The subjunctive is triggered by verbs and expressions that express:

• desire → querer que

• doubt → duvidar que

• emotion → lamentar que

• necessity → é necessário que

• possibility → é possível que

Examples:

• Quero que venhas.

• É importante que estudes.

• Ela duvida que ele saiba a verdade.

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Important patterns

• After these triggers, the following verb must be in the subjunctive

• The subjunctive reflects the speaker’s attitude or uncertainty

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⚠️ Key contrasts

• Acho que ele vem. (indicative → certainty)

• Não acho que ele venha. (subjunctive → doubt)

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🧠 Additional notes

• Some verbs trigger the subjunctive in negative or interrogative forms
  (acho que vs não acho que)

• Time expressions like:

  • antes de que → subjunctive

  • depois que → indicative

• Words like quando, embora, enquanto can take either mood:

  • subjunctive → future or hypothetical

  • indicative → real or habitual

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🔑 Key point

Using the subjunctive correctly requires:

• recognizing the trigger

• forming the correct verb form