B1 (Intermediate)Lesson 3: Introduction to Subjunctive
The futuro do subjuntivo (future subjunctive) expresses open future possibilities or events not yet realized after conjunctions like quando, se and assim que. You build it from the third-person plural preterite, and Brazilians use it constantly — modern Spanish mainly keeps its corresponding form in legal and administrative language, ritual formulas and fixed sayings; modern French and Italian have no separate corresponding future subjunctive form, while Portuguese still uses 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 possibilities or events not yet realized; the form does not assert their probability
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 with regular verbs, including nós; the construction distinguishes them
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 – it helps you talk about plans! 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 is common in daily life. The future subjunctive is practical grammar for everyday situations: WhatsApp messages, work meetings, and family planning all offer useful contexts for mastering this 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)
"Se precisarem de ajuda, estou disponível" (Should you need help, I'm available)
With ir, distinguish a projected future event from habitual or factual contexts:
Future event: "Quando você for" (When you go)
Indicative in a different context: "Quando você vai" (present indicative; the meaning depends on the sentence)
Also common: "Quando for" (drops pronoun)
Subjects can be omitted with other verbs too; omitting a pronoun does not change the tense.
Antes que (before) normally takes present subjunctive for future reference, and can take imperfect subjunctive in past or hypothetical contexts:
✅ "Antes que ele chegue" (present subjunctive)
❌ "Antes que ele chegar" (future subjunctive)
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