Verbs: Subjunctive Mood — Brazilian Portuguese Grammar

The subjunctive mood is used to talk about situations that are subjective or not considered facts. This includes expressing desires, doubts, emotions, possibilities, and hypothetical scenarios. It contrasts with the indicative mood, which is used for factual statements and certainty.

The subjunctive is most often found in a dependent clause, usually introduced by the word (that).

Wishes, Desires, and Commands

When one person wants, hopes, or asks another person to do something, the verb in the second clause is in the subjunctive. This is common with verbs like (to want), (to hope), and (to ask for/request). Notice that the subject of the first verb is different from the subject of the second verb.

Eu quero que você me ajude.
I want you to help me.
Ela espera que nós cheguemos a tempo.
She hopes that we arrive on time.
Eles pedem que a gente faça silêncio.
They ask that we be quiet.

Emotions and Feelings

When expressing an emotional reaction to someone else's action or state, the subjunctive is used. This applies to feelings of happiness, sadness, fear, or surprise.

Fico feliz que você esteja aqui.
I'm happy that you are here.
É uma pena que ele não possa vir à festa.
It's a shame that he can't come to the party.
Tenho medo que eles não gostem do presente.
I'm afraid that they won't like the gift.

Doubt, Denial, and Uncertainty

The subjunctive is used after expressions of doubt, disbelief, or possibility. This is a clear contrast to the indicative, which is used for certainty.

Compare:

Certainty (Indicative): - I know that he has the book.

Doubt (Subjunctive): - I doubt that he has the book.

Não acredito que ela tenha dito isso.
I don't believe that she said that.
É possível que chova mais tarde.
It's possible that it will rain later.

Impersonal Expressions

Many impersonal expressions that convey an opinion, necessity, or suggestion require the subjunctive. Common examples include (it's important that), (it's necessary that), and (it's better that).

However, if the impersonal expression states a fact or certainty, the indicative is used.

Compare:

Opinion (Subjunctive): - It's good that you rest.

Fact (Indicative): - It's true that you rest little.

É importante que todos participem da reunião.
It's important that everyone participate in the meeting.
É necessário que você preencha o formulário.
It's necessary that you fill out the form.

Conjunctions and Hypothetical Situations

Certain conjunctions automatically trigger the subjunctive. This is especially true for conjunctions that introduce a future, hypothetical, or unconfirmed event.

Future Subjunctive: Used with conjunctions like (when) and (if) to talk about future possibilities.

Quando eu tiver tempo, eu te ligo.
When I have time, I'll call you.
Se você for ao Brasil, visite o Rio de Janeiro.
If you go to Brazil, visit Rio de Janeiro.

Imperfect Subjunctive: Used with (if) to describe hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situations in the present.

Se eu fosse você, eu não faria isso.
If I were you, I wouldn't do that.
Se nós tivéssemos mais dinheiro, compraríamos um carro.
If we had more money, we would buy a car.

Present Subjunctive: Used with conjunctions of purpose or condition like (so that) or (unless).

Vou explicar de novo para que você entenda.
I'm going to explain again so that you understand.
Não saia a menos que seja uma emergência.
Don't leave unless it's an emergency.

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s Brazilian Portuguese course

15 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 194. A few of them, with the words “Verbs: Subjunctive Mood” is about in bold:

Gostaria que você fosse mais frugal.
I wish you were more frugal.
Lesson 328

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