What Is the Future Subjunctive in Portuguese?
The future subjunctive, known as “futuro do subjuntivo” in Portuguese, is a verb tense used to talk about actions or events that might happen in the future, often depending on certain conditions. Unlike the present or past subjunctive, the future subjunctive specifically refers to situations that are possible or hypothetical and have not yet occurred.
When Do You Use the Future Subjunctive?
The future subjunctive is most commonly used in subordinate clauses introduced by specific conjunctions such as “quando” (when), “se” (if), “assim que” (as soon as), and “depois que” (after). The main clause typically expresses an action that is conditional on the fulfillment of the subordinate clause.
Here are some situations where you should use the future subjunctive:
- To indicate an action that will happen if or when another future action occurs.
- To express uncertainty or a hypothesis about the future.
- To set conditions for future events.
How to Form the Future Subjunctive
Forming the future subjunctive is straightforward once you know the trick. Take the third person plural (eles/elas/vocês) form of the verb in the preterite (simple past), drop the final “-am,” and then add the future subjunctive endings.
Let’s see this with the verb “falar” (to speak):
- Preterite, third person plural: falaram
- Remove “-am”: falar
- Add future subjunctive endings: (no change for most forms)
So, the future subjunctive forms of “falar” are:
- quando eu falar
- quando tu falares
- quando ele/ela/você falar
- quando nós falarmos
- quando vós falardes
- quando eles/elas/vocês falarem
This pattern is consistent for regular verbs. Irregular verbs may have unique stems, but the endings remain the same.
Examples with Common Verbs
- Ser: quando eu for, quando tu fores, quando ele for, quando nós formos, quando vós fordes, quando eles forem
- Ter: quando eu tiver, quando tu tiveres, quando ele tiver, quando nós tivermos, quando vós tiverdes, quando eles tiverem
- Ir: quando eu for, quando tu fores, quando ele for, quando nós formos, quando vós fordes, quando eles forem
Key Conjunctions That Trigger the Future Subjunctive
In Portuguese, the future subjunctive is often required after certain conjunctions and expressions. Some of the most frequent triggers include:
- Quando (when): Quando você chegar, me avise. (When you arrive, let me know.)
- Se (if): Se ele estiver em casa, eu ligo. (If he is at home, I will call.)
- Assim que (as soon as): Assim que nós terminarmos, vamos sair. (As soon as we finish, we’ll leave.)
- Depois que (after): Depois que você ler o livro, me conte. (After you read the book, tell me.)
Practical Examples of the Future Subjunctive in Use
- Quando você viajar ao Brasil, aproveite a comida típica. (When you travel to Brazil, enjoy the local food.)
- Se eles precisarem de ajuda, me avisem. (If they need help, let me know.)
- Assim que eu souber a resposta, te digo. (As soon as I know the answer, I’ll tell you.)
- Depois que ela chegar, começaremos a reunião. (After she arrives, we’ll start the meeting.)
Tips for Mastering the Future Subjunctive
- Practice with common triggers: Focus on sentences with “quando,” “se,” and “assim que” to build familiarity.
- Listen and read: Pay attention to the future subjunctive in Brazilian and European Portuguese media, such as news, TV shows, and podcasts.
- Use language learning tools: Try AI-powered platforms like Talkpal to practice and reinforce your understanding through interactive exercises and instant feedback.
- Write your own examples: Compose sentences about your plans and future possibilities to internalize the structure.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing with the present subjunctive: Remember, the future subjunctive is used for actions that may happen in the future, not the present.
- Forgetting the triggers: Not every “if” or “when” sentence uses the future subjunctive. Check if the sentence refers to a future event before applying the tense.
- Using the wrong verb form: Always start from the third person plural preterite to get the correct stem for regular and irregular verbs.
Conclusion: Make the Future Subjunctive Second Nature
The future subjunctive is a distinctive and essential part of Portuguese grammar. With regular exposure and practice, especially through resources like the Talkpal AI language learning blog, you will soon find it becomes a natural part of your speech and writing. Focus on the triggers, practice forming the tense, and use it in real-life scenarios to build confidence. The more you use the future subjunctive, the more fluent and authentic your Portuguese will sound!
