Brazilian Portuguese Grammar
The subjunctive mood is largely used in noun clauses and adverb clauses.
Noun clauses
When the verb in the main clause expresses a desire (querer, desejar), a doubt (duvidar), a suggestion (sugerir), a demand (exigir), insistence (insistir) and a request (pedir, solicitar, requerer), the verb in the (subordinating) noun clause must be in one of the tenses of the subjunctive mood - this is called verb tense sequence:
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Verb tense sequence
main clause in green noun clause in red |
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Eu quero que você seja feliz. I want you to be happy. Verb querer in the presente do indicativo <=> verb ser in the presente do subjuntivo presente do indicativo <=> presente do subjuntivo
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| Ela pediu que ele chegasse aqui às cinco.She asked him to get here at five. Verb pedir in the pretérito imperfeito do indicativo <=> verb chegar in the pretérito imperfeito do subjuntivo pretérito imperfeito do indicativo <=> pretérito imperfeito do subjuntivo
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| Go to Noun clauses |
The verb tense sequence also applies to sentences that denote urgency, importance and convenience, e.g.:
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Verb tense sequence
main clause in green noun clause in red |
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É importante que ele compareça às aulas. It's important that he attend classes. Verb ser in the presente do indicativo <=> verb comparecer in the presente do subjuntivo presente do indicativo <=> presente do subjuntivo
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Convém que eles viajem juntos. It's convenient that that they travel together. Verb convir in the presente do indicativo <=> verb viajar in the presente do subjuntivo presente do indicativo <=> presente do subjuntivo
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Adverb clauses
Some adverb clauses always have verbs in the subjunctive mood, especially after certain conjunctions:
| Adverb clauses in yellow | ||
| Portuguese | English | Circumstance |
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Se ele chegar cedo, iremos ao cinema.
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If he arrives early, we'll go to the movies.
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Condition |
| Estude bastante para que você aprenda a falar português. |
Study hard so that you can learn to speak Portuguese.
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Purpose |
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Embora estivesse cansada, ela saiu com as amigas.
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Although she was tired, she went out with her friends.
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Contrast |
| Go to Adverb clauses | ||
The correct usage of Portuguese verb tenses
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