What is the Future Subjunctive in Portuguese?
The future subjunctive, or “futuro do subjuntivo,” is a unique verb tense in Portuguese. Unlike English or many other languages, Portuguese uses this tense to talk about hypothetical or uncertain actions that may take place in the future. It is most commonly triggered by certain conjunctions or expressions, especially those referring to time or condition, such as “quando” (when), “se” (if), and “assim que” (as soon as).
How is the Future Subjunctive Formed?
Forming the future subjunctive is surprisingly straightforward once you know the trick. You start with the third person plural (eles/elas/vocês) form of the verb in the preterite (simple past) tense, remove the final “-am,” and then add the appropriate endings:
- – (no ending) for eu, tu, ele/ela/você
- -mos for nós
- -em for eles/elas/vocês
Let’s look at some examples using the verb “falar” (to speak):
- Se eu falar (If I speak)
- Quando tu falares (When you speak)
- Se nós falarmos (If we speak)
- Quando eles falarem (When they speak)
This pattern applies to both regular and irregular verbs, although you should check for irregularities in the preterite form for some verbs.
When is the Future Subjunctive Actually Used?
The future subjunctive is not a theoretical tense; it is used extensively in everyday Portuguese. Here are the main situations where it appears:
1. After Time Conjunctions
Whenever the action in the subordinate clause is uncertain and set in the future, you will use the future subjunctive after conjunctions such as:
- Quando (when): Quando você chegar, avise-me. (When you arrive, let me know.)
- Assim que (as soon as): Assim que eles terminarem, vamos sair. (As soon as they finish, we’ll leave.)
- Logo que (as soon as): Logo que soubermos, avisaremos. (As soon as we know, we’ll let you know.)
2. After Conditional Conjunctions
Use the future subjunctive after conditional words or phrases indicating uncertainty about the future:
- Se (if): Se eu tiver tempo, eu vou. (If I have time, I’ll go.)
- Caso (in case): Caso ele precise, ajudaremos. (In case he needs [help], we’ll help.)
3. In Relative Clauses Referring to the Future
When a relative clause refers to something that may happen in the future, the future subjunctive is often used:
- Quem encontrar o documento, entregue ao chefe. (Whoever finds the document, hand it to the boss.)
Why is the Future Subjunctive Important?
Mastering the future subjunctive allows you to express yourself more clearly and naturally in Portuguese. It helps avoid ambiguity in sentences about future possibilities, and it is a hallmark of fluent, sophisticated speech. Both in written and spoken Portuguese, you’ll hear this tense frequently—especially in formal contexts, literature, and even everyday conversation.
Tips for Learning and Practicing the Future Subjunctive
- Practice with Real-Life Scenarios: Use Talkpal’s AI language learning tools to create dialogues where you need to talk about future possibilities or conditions.
- Memorize Common Expressions: Focus on phrases like “quando eu for,” “se você vier,” or “assim que terminarmos” to build your intuition.
- Listen and Read: Pay attention to Portuguese media, especially interviews and news, where this tense is used naturally.
- Drill Verb Forms: Regularly conjugate both regular and irregular verbs in the future subjunctive to reinforce the pattern.
Conclusion
The future subjunctive is a fascinating and essential part of Portuguese grammar. It allows you to discuss hypothetical or uncertain events with precision and ease. While it may seem intimidating at first, consistent practice with resources like Talkpal will make it second nature. Embrace this unique tense and watch your Portuguese skills reach the next level!
