B1 (Intermediate)Lesson 3: Introduction to Subjunctive
The futuro do subjuntivo (future subjunctive) expresses likely future events after conjunctions like quando, se and assim que. You build it from the third-person plural preterite, and Brazilians use it constantly — Spanish keeps the same form only in legal wording and fixed sayings, French and Italian never developed one at all, and Portuguese still runs on it every day.
Portuguese name: futuro do subjuntivo — the future subjunctive
Formation: take the 3rd plural preterite (falaram), drop -ram, add -r, -res, -r, -rmos, -rem
Main triggers: quando (when), se (if), enquanto (while), assim que (as soon as), depois que (after)
Expresses: future events that are expected, not hypothetical
Key pattern: Quando eu chegar, te ligo (When I arrive, I'll call you)
Irregulars are easy: they follow the preterite — for (ir/ser), tiver (ter), puder (poder), quiser (querer), fizer (fazer)
Looks like the personal infinitive but isn't (the nós form differs)
Everyday Brazilian, not a formal-only tense
3rd person plural preterite stem (remove -ram) + -r, -res, -r, -rmos, -rem
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The future subjunctive is everywhere in Brazilian daily life – you literally can't make plans without it! From casual promises ("Quando eu chegar, te aviso") to work emails ("Assim que recebermos o pagamento, enviaremos o produto") to dating ("Se você quiser, podemos sair"), this structure appears hundreds of times daily. Unlike the dramatic imperfect subjunctive of telenovelas, the future subjunctive is the practical grammar of real life: WhatsApp messages, work meetings, and family planning all depend on mastering this uniquely Portuguese form!
The future subjunctive uses the EXACT same stem as the imperfect subjunctive, but with different endings:
Find 3rd plural preterite: eles falaram
Remove -ram: fala-
Add future subjunctive endings:
| Person | Ending | Result | Compare to Imperfect |
|---|---|---|---|
| eu | -r | falar | falasse |
| tu | -res | falares | falasses |
"Quando eu chegar em casa, te mando mensagem" (When I get home, I'll text you)
"Assim que terminar o trabalho, vou ao supermercado" (As soon as I finish work, I'll go to the supermarket)
"Se der tempo, passo na padaria" (If there's time, I'll stop by the bakery)
"Quando você acordar, me liga" (When you wake up, call me)
"Depois que almoçarmos, podemos conversar" (After we have lunch, we can talk)
"Quando recebermos o pagamento, liberamos o pedido" (When we receive the payment, we'll release the order)
"Se houver problemas, entre em contato" (If there are any problems, get in touch)
"Assim que o chefe aprovar, começamos o projeto" (As soon as the boss approves it, we'll start the project)
"Caso precisarem de ajuda, estou disponível" (Should you need help, I'm available)
With verb "ir", Brazilians often drop the future subjunctive:
Formal: "Quando você for" (When you go)
Common: "Quando você vai" (uses present/future)
Also common: "Quando for" (drops pronoun)
This ONLY happens with "ir" - other verbs maintain future subjunctive.
"Antes que" (before) is the rebel - it takes PRESENT subjunctive, not future:
✅ "Antes que ele chegue" (present subjunctive)
❌ "Antes que ele chegar" (future subjunctive)
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