B1 (Intermediate)Lesson 3: Introduction to Subjunctive
The subjunctive often appears with wishes, doubts, emotions and evaluations. Verb mood depends on the expression, construction and intended meaning: an emotional reaction can concern a known fact, and the indicative can also express uncertainty.
Subjunctive = often desired, doubted or evaluated content, which can concern a known fact
Indicative = common in assertions and questions, including some uncertain statements
Triggered by WEIRDO: Wishes, Emotions, Impersonal expressions, Recommendations, Doubt/Denial, Ojalá (Spanish mnemonic label; Portuguese tomara/oxalá)
Different subjects are common with wishes: Eu quero que você...; this is not a general subjunctive requirement
Emotion verbs: esperar, temer, alegrar-se
Doubt verbs: duvidar, negar, não acreditar
Wish verbs: querer, desejar, preferir
Choose mood by expression, construction and meaning, not simply factual versus unreal
main clause (trigger) + que + subordinate clause (subjunctive)
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The subjunctive helps you express hopes, fears, doubts, emotional reactions and advice naturally. When someone says "Espero que dê certo" (I hope it works out), the expression marks a hope; an emotion such as happiness can also concern a known fact. Understanding these constructions lets you distinguish an assertion from a wish, doubt or evaluation without treating every subjunctive clause as unreal.
| Indicative (typical assertions) | Subjunctive (desired, doubted or evaluated content) |
|---|---|
| Ele está aqui (He is here) | Duvido que ele esteja aqui (I doubt he's here) |
| Ela sabe a resposta (She knows) | Espero que ela saiba (I hope she knows) |
| Eles vêm amanhã (They're coming) | Talvez eles venham (Maybe they'll come) |
Indicative: commonly presents an assertion; it can also occur in questions and uncertain statements
"Espero que você tenha um ótimo dia!" (I hope you have a great day!)
"Tomara que não chova no fim de semana" (I hope it doesn't rain on the weekend)
"Quero que vocês sejam muito felizes" (I want you to be very happy)
"Desejo que todos os seus sonhos se realizem" (I wish all your dreams come true)
"Duvido que ele chegue a tempo" (I doubt he'll arrive on time)
"Não acredito que ela tenha mentido" (I don't believe she lied)
"Não acho que isso funcione" (I don't think this works)
"É improvável que aconteça hoje" (It's unlikely to happen today)
Even with emotions:
"Tenho certeza que ele vem" (indicative)
NOT: "Tenho certeza que ele venha"
"Acho que ela está certa" (I think she's right)
But negative: "Não acho que ela esteja certa"
Can take both moods:
"Talvez ele venha" (usual preverbal subjunctive pattern)
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