B2 · Upper Intermediate Chapter 16

Dreaming with the Imperfect Subjunctive

1 Total Rules
10 examples
7 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of hypothetical thinking and emotional expression using the Portuguese imperfect subjunctive.

  • Conjugate regular and irregular verbs in the imperfect subjunctive.
  • Construct hypothetical 'if' sentences that contrast with reality.
  • Express wishes and polite requests with newfound nuance and sophistication.
Unlock the Portuguese of your dreams.

What You'll Learn

Ready to elevate your Portuguese and sound truly authentic? This chapter is your key to unlocking a whole new dimension of expression: the Imperfect Subjunctive. This is the magical tense that lets you navigate the world of what ifs, if onlys, and polite, hypothetical desires that paint a picture contrasting with current reality. Here, you'll dive deep into expressing your dreams, wishes, regrets, and imaginary scenarios. Ever wanted to say,

I wish I had more time to travel
or
If I were the boss, I would increase salaries
? This is precisely the tense you need! We’ll start by understanding the signature -sse endings and how to apply them to hypothetical situations that aren't true right now. Then, we’ll progress to crafting super polite suggestions and expressing those heartfelt desires that might feel just out of reach. By the end of this chapter, you won't just be conjugating verbs; you'll be articulating nuanced thoughts and emotions with native-like fluidity. Imagine yourself discussing your aspirations with a local in a Lisbon café, sounding completely natural as you weave through hypothetical conversations. This will make your Portuguese significantly more sophisticated and engaging, truly cementing your B2-level proficiency. Let's unlock the Portuguese of dreams!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: articulate hypothetical scenarios using the -sse ending patterns.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Welcome to the exciting world of the Portuguese Imperfect Subjunctive, a truly essential grammar point for anyone aiming for B2 Portuguese proficiency and beyond. This chapter, "Dreaming with the Imperfect Subjunctive," is your gateway to expressing a deeper, more nuanced range of ideas in Portuguese. Forget just stating facts; we're about to unlock the language of possibilities, wishes, and polite hypotheticals. This tense is often referred to as the "what-if" or "if only" tense, and mastering it will significantly elevate your Portuguese grammar skills, making your conversations richer and more authentic.
At the B2 level, moving beyond basic communication means understanding how to navigate complex thoughts and express yourself with greater sophistication. The Imperfect Subjunctive is precisely what you need for this. It allows you to speak about situations that are contrary to present reality, to make gentle suggestions, or to articulate desires that might seem just out of reach. Imagine being able to say, "If I had more time, I would learn another language," or "I wish you were here." These are the kinds of expressions that will make your Portuguese truly shine.
By the end of this guide, you won't just be conjugating verbs; you'll be weaving intricate thoughts and emotions into your speech, sounding more like a native speaker. This skill is invaluable for real-life interactions, whether you're discussing future plans, reflecting on past choices, or simply engaging in polite conversation. Get ready to add a powerful new tool to your Portuguese grammar toolkit!

How This Grammar Works

The Portuguese Imperfect Subjunctive, often called the 'What-If' Tense (-sse), is used to express hypothetical situations, wishes, doubts, or polite requests that are contrary to fact or unlikely to happen in the present or future. It’s frequently found in clauses introduced by conjunctions like se (if), embora (although), caso (in case), quando (when, if hypothetical), para que (in order that), and after expressions of desire or emotion like gostaria que (I would like that...). This is the core of the "Imperfect Subjunctive: The 'If I Were' Tense (-asse, -esse, -isse)".
To form the Imperfect Subjunctive, you typically take the eles/elas (they) form of the Pretérito Perfeito Simples (Simple Past), remove the -am ending, and then add the appropriate Imperfect Subjunctive endings:
* For -ar verbs, the endings are: -asse, -asses, -asse, -ássemos, -ásseis, -assem.
* Example: falar (to speak) -> eles falaram -> remove -am -> falar -> eu falasse (if I spoke/were to speak)
* For -er and -ir verbs, the endings are: -esse, -esses, -esse, -êssemos, -êsseis, -essem.
* Example: comer (to eat) -> eles comeram -> remove -am -> comer -> eu comesse (if I ate/were to eat)
* Example: partir (to leave) -> eles partiram -> remove -am -> partir -> eu partisse (if I left/were to leave)
This method works for both regular and irregular verbs, making it quite straightforward once you know the simple past forms. For instance, ser/ir (to be/to go) -> eles foram -> remove -am -> for -> eu fosse (if I were/went).
Here are some key uses of this "Portuguese 'What If' Tense (Imperfect Subjunctive)":
  1. 1Hypothetical Conditions (If I were/had): Often used with se (if) in conditional sentences.
* Se eu tivesse dinheiro, viajaria mais. (If I had money, I would travel more.)
  1. 1Wishes or Regrets (If only/I wish I had): Expressing desires contrary to present reality, often with gostaria que or queria que. This is the "Portuguese 'If Only' Tense (Imperfect Subjunctive)".
* Gostaria que ele viesse à festa. (I would like him to come to the party. / I wish he would come to the party.)
* Queria que tu estivesses aqui. (I wanted you to be here. / I wish you were here.)
  1. 1Polite Suggestions or Requests:
* Seria bom que todos participassem. (It would be good if everyone participated.)
* Preferia que falasses mais baixo. (I'd prefer that you spoke more quietly.)

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: Se eu tinha tempo, eu iria ao cinema.
✓ Correct: Se eu tivesse tempo, eu iria ao cinema.
*Explanation:* This is a classic "if" clause error. When expressing a hypothetical condition contrary to fact in the present or future, you must use the Imperfect Subjunctive (tivesse) in the "if" clause, not the Imperfect Indicative (tinha). The main clause typically uses the Conditional (iria).
  1. 1✗ Wrong: Eu queria que ele vem amanhã.
✓ Correct: Eu queria que ele viesse amanhã.
*Explanation:* After expressions of desire or emotion in the past (like queria - I wanted), the following clause requires the Imperfect Subjunctive (viesse), not the Present Indicative (vem). This correctly conveys "I wanted him to come" or "I wished he would come."
  1. 1✗ Wrong: Se fosse possível, eu fazia isso.
✓ Correct: Se fosse possível, eu faria isso.
*Explanation:* While faria (Conditional) is correct for the main clause, some learners mistakenly use the Imperfect Indicative (fazia) in place of the Conditional in complex hypothetical sentences. Remember the pattern: Imperfect Subjunctive (in 'se' clause) + Conditional (in main clause).

Real Conversations

A

A

Se tu fosses o presidente, o que farias primeiro? (If you were the president, what would you do first?)
B

B

Se eu fosse o presidente, eu investiria mais na educação. (If I were the president, I would invest more in education.)
A

A

Gostaria que viesses connosco no próximo fim de semana. (I would like you to come with us next weekend.)
B

B

Ah, eu adoraria! Se pudesse, iria com certeza. (Oh, I'd love to! If I could, I would definitely go.)
A

A

Era importante que ele chegasse a tempo para a reunião. (It was important that he arrived on time for the meeting.)
B

B

Sim, se ele se atrasasse, teríamos um problema. (Yes, if he were late, we would have a problem.)

Quick FAQ

Q

When do I use the Portuguese Imperfect Subjunctive instead of the Conditional?

The Imperfect Subjunctive is typically used in the dependent clause (often after se, que, or expressions of desire) to set up a hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situation, while the Conditional is used in the main clause to describe the consequence of that hypothetical situation (e.g., "If I *were* (subjunctive), I *would do* (conditional)").

Q

What's the difference between the Portuguese Imperfect Subjunctive and the Present Subjunctive?

The Present Subjunctive usually refers to doubts, wishes, or commands in the present or future that *might* happen, or general conditions. The Imperfect Subjunctive refers to hypothetical situations, wishes, or regrets that are contrary to present or past reality, or are less likely to happen.

Q

Can I use the Imperfect Subjunctive for past events in Portuguese?

Yes, you can! When referring to hypothetical situations or regrets about the past, you often use the compound form: Imperfect Subjunctive of ter (to have) or haver (to have) + past participle. For example, "Se eu tivesse sabido, não teria ido" (If I had known, I wouldn't have gone).

Q

What are some common verbs that often trigger the Imperfect Subjunctive?

Verbs and expressions like gostaria que (I would like that...), queria que (I wanted that...), seria bom que (it would be good that...), era importante que (it was important that...), se (if), caso (in case), and embora (although) frequently precede clauses requiring the Imperfect Subjunctive.

Cultural Context

In Portugal and Brazil, the Imperfect Subjunctive is vital for expressing politeness, humility, and indirectness. Native speakers frequently use it to make softer suggestions, express modest wishes, or navigate sensitive topics without being too direct. For example, instead of a blunt command, a speaker might use "Gostaria que me ajudasses" (I would like you to help me) which is far more courteous. Mastering this tense makes your Portuguese sound less abrupt and more natural, reflecting the cultural value placed on nuanced communication. It's truly a hallmark of sophisticated, B2-level conversation.

Key Examples (2)

1

Se eu **tivesse** dinheiro, comprava esse tênis agora.

If I had money, I would buy these sneakers now.

Imperfect Subjunctive (The "If I Were" Tense)
2

Eu queria que você **viesse** na minha festa.

I wanted you to come to my party.

Imperfect Subjunctive (The "If I Were" Tense)

Tips & Tricks (1)

💡

The 'Eles' Trick

Always find the 'eles' past tense form first. It is the key to the stem.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Imperfect Subjunctive (The "If I Were" Tense)

Key Vocabulary (6)

se if fosse were (from ser) tivesse had (from ter) quisesse wanted (from querer) oxalá hopefully / if only talvez perhaps

Real-World Preview

coffee

Dreaming in a Café

Review Summary

  • Preterite 3rd person plural stem (minus -ram) + -sse, -sses, -sse, -ssemos, -sseis, -ssem

Common Mistakes

Never use the conditional in the 'if' (se) clause. Always use the imperfect subjunctive.

Wrong: Se eu teria dinheiro, viajaria.
Correct: Se eu tivesse dinheiro, viajaria.

The imperfect indicative is for past habits, not for hypothetical conditions.

Wrong: Se eu falava português...
Correct: Se eu falasse português...

You must conjugate the verb based on the preterite stem, not the infinitive.

Wrong: Se eu ser rico...
Correct: Se eu fosse rico...

Next Steps

You've unlocked a powerful tool for self-expression. Keep dreaming in Portuguese!

Write a 'bucket list' of 5 things you would do if you were a millionaire.

Continue to: Advanced Hypotheticals and Polite Requests

Quick Practice (3)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Se eu faria, eu diria.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Se eu fizesse, eu diria.
No conditional in 'if' clause.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Imperfect Subjunctive (The "If I Were" Tense)

Fill in the blank.

Se eu ___ (ter) tempo, eu iria.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tivesse
Hypothetical condition requires imperfect subjunctive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Imperfect Subjunctive (The "If I Were" Tense)

Choose the correct form.

Eu queria que você ___ (vir).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: viesse
Wish in the past requires imperfect subjunctive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Imperfect Subjunctive (The "If I Were" Tense)

Score: /3

Common Questions (2)

It comes from the imperfect tense stem, which describes ongoing or habitual actions in the past.
Yes, it is used for present hypothetical situations, like 'If I were you'.
Previous Chapter
Setting Conditions and Time Limits
Next Chapter
Advanced Hypotheticals and Polite Requests
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