B2 · Upper Intermediate Chapter 20

Hypotheticals and Polite Requests

6 Total Rules
60 examples
7 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of nuance by using the conditional tense to express polite requests and hypothetical scenarios.

  • Conjugate the 'Big Three' irregular verbs in the conditional.
  • Construct complex 'would' sentences for social grace.
  • Apply the conditional to speculate about past events.
Speak with grace: Master the Portuguese conditional.

What You'll Learn

Ready to elevate your Portuguese and sound truly authentic? This chapter is your key to unlocking sophisticated and nuanced conversations, just like a native speaker! Here, you'll dive deep into the Conditional tense (Futuro do Pretérito) to express everything from polite desires and hypothetical scenarios to educated guesses about the past. We'll start by mastering the Big Three irregular verbs—dizer, fazer, and trazer—which transform into dir-, far-, and trar- before taking their endings. Then, you'll discover how effortlessly you can form the would tense in Portuguese by adding simple -ia endings to verb infinitives. Imagine yourself in a crucial situation, perhaps delicately negotiating a business deal or making a very polite request to a waiter in a chic restaurant. These skills will empower you to express yourself with grace and avoid sounding overly direct. Or, think about those times you want to speculate about past events, expressing doubt or suggesting possibilities—like saying,

He must have been there
or
She would have known.
This chapter gives you the tools to do just that. We’ll build your foundation with the irregular Big Three, then move to the general pattern of conditional formation for all other verbs. Finally, you’ll learn to leverage this versatile tense for expressing probabilities and conjectures about past situations. By the end of this chapter, you’ll confidently construct complex conditional sentences, make impeccable polite requests, and discuss past events with subtle nuance. Your conversations will gain depth and professionalism, making you feel truly at home in Portuguese. No hypothetical situation or polite inquiry will be beyond your expressive reach!

Learning Objectives

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

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use 'faria', 'diria', and 'traria' to make refined requests in restaurant or business settings.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Ready to truly elevate your Portuguese and sound just like a native speaker? This chapter is your essential guide to unlocking sophisticated and nuanced conversations. We’re diving deep into the Conditional tense, known in Portuguese as the Futuro do Pretérito, a versatile tool that allows you to express everything from polite desires and hypothetical scenarios to educated guesses about the past. Mastering this tense is a crucial step for B2 Portuguese grammar learners aiming for fluency and authenticity.
Imagine yourself in a situation where you need to make a delicate request, negotiate a business deal, or simply express a wish without sounding overly direct. The Conditional tense empowers you to do just that, adding grace and professionalism to your speech. You'll learn how to form the "would" tense in Portuguese, starting with the "Big Three" irregular verbs—dizer (to say), fazer (to do/make), and trazer (to bring)—which transform into dir-, far-, and trar- before taking their endings.
Beyond politeness, this tense is invaluable for speculating about past events. Ever wanted to say, "He must have been there" or "She would have known" in Portuguese? This chapter provides the tools to express doubt, suggest possibilities, and make conjectures about past situations with subtle nuance. By the end, you'll confidently construct complex conditional sentences, make impeccable polite requests, and discuss past events like a seasoned Portuguese speaker. This is a game-changer for your Portuguese grammar B2 journey!

How This Grammar Works

At the heart of this chapter is the Futuro do Pretérito, or the Conditional tense, which primarily translates to "would" in English. We'll start by mastering the "Big Three" irregular verbs, which are crucial for the "Future & Conditional Stems: I will/would do (dir, far, trar)" rule. These verbs have unique stems:
* Dizer (to say) becomes dir-
* Fazer (to do/make) becomes far-
* Trazer (to bring) becomes trar-
These stems then take the standard conditional endings. For example, fazer (to do/make) conjugates as:
* Eu faria (I would do/make)
* Tu farias (You would do/make)
* Ele/Ela/Você faria (He/She/You would do/make)
* Nós faríamos (We would do/make)
* Vós faríeis (You all would do/make - mostly European Portuguese)
* Eles/Elas/Vocês fariam (They/You all would do/make)
This covers the "Short & Sweet: Irregular Conditional Stems" rule. For all other regular verbs, forming the Conditional is incredibly straightforward, aligning with the "Portuguese Conditional Tense: Saying 'Would' (Futuro do Pretérito)" and "Portuguese Conditional: Expressing 'Would' (Eu faria)" rules. You simply take the infinitive form of the verb and add the same "-ia" endings. For example, with falar (to speak):
* Eu falaria (I would speak)
* Tu falarias (You would speak)
* Ele/Ela/Você falaria (He/She/You would speak)
* Nós falaríamos (We would speak)
* Vós falaríeis (You all would speak)
* Eles/Elas/Vocês falariam (They/You all would speak)
This pattern applies to all regular -ar, -er, and -ir verbs. This elegant simplicity makes the "Portuguese Conditional: The 'Would' Tense (Futuro do Pretérito)" surprisingly easy to grasp. Finally, this tense is also used for "Guessing the Past: Using the Conditional for Probability." For instance, Ele estaria em casa (He would probably be at home / He must have been at home). This allows you to express conjectures about past events, adding a layer of sophisticated nuance to your conversations.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Você vai me ajudar com isso?" (Are you going to help me with this?)
✓ Correct: "Você me ajudaria com isso?" (Would you help me with this?)
*Explanation:* While the first sentence is grammatically correct, using the simple future (vai ajudar) can sound too direct or demanding when making a request. The Conditional tense (ajudaria) is much more polite and appropriate for asking for favors or making suggestions in Portuguese.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Eu fazeria o jantar se tivesse tempo." (I would make dinner if I had time.)
✓ Correct: "Eu faria o jantar se tivesse tempo." (I would make dinner if I had time.)
*Explanation:* This common error involves regularizing the irregular verb fazer. Remember the "Short & Sweet: Irregular Conditional Stems" rule: fazer becomes far-, not fazer-. The same applies to dizer (diria, not dizeria) and trazer (traria, not trazeria).
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Ele provavelmente estava lá." (He probably was there.)
✓ Correct: "Ele estaria lá." (He must have been there / He would have been there.)
*Explanation:* While "provavelmente estava" is understandable, using the Conditional tense (estaria) for "Guessing the Past: Using the Conditional for Probability" is a more natural and idiomatic way to express conjecture or an educated guess about a past event in Portuguese. It implies a higher degree of speculation or a milder assertion.

Real Conversations

A

A

Você poderia me dar uma informação? (Could you give me some information?)
B

B

Claro! O que você gostaria de saber? (Of course! What would you like to know?)
A

A

Se eu tivesse mais dinheiro, viajaria o mundo todo. (If I had more money, I would travel the whole world.)
B

B

Eu também faria o mesmo! (I would do the same too!)
A

A

Onde estaria ele ontem à noite? Não o vi em lugar nenhum. (Where would he have been last night? I didn't see him anywhere.)
B

B

Ele talvez estaria em casa, cansado do trabalho. (He might have been home, tired from work.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What is the difference between the Conditional and the Simple Future in Portuguese?

The Simple Future (futuro do presente) describes actions that *will* definitely happen (e.g., Eu farei - I will do). The Conditional (futuro do pretérito) expresses actions that *would* happen under certain conditions, polite requests, or conjectures about the past (e.g., Eu faria - I would do).

Q

Are there many irregular verbs in the Portuguese Conditional besides dizer, fazer, and trazer?

No, thankfully! These "Big Three" are the most common and important irregular verbs for the Conditional tense in Portuguese. Most other verbs follow the regular pattern of adding the -ia endings to their infinitive form.

Q

Can I use the Conditional to talk about things I *used to* do?

No, the Conditional tense is not typically used for past habits. For actions you *used to* do, you should use the Imperfect tense (pretérito imperfeito), such as Eu falava (I used to speak). The Conditional expresses "would" in hypothetical or polite contexts.

Q

How does the Conditional help with sounding more polite in Portuguese?

Using the Conditional tense softens requests and suggestions, making them less direct and more respectful. For example, instead of "Quero um café" (I want a coffee), "Gostaria de um café" (I would like a coffee) is much politer and more common in formal or service interactions.

Cultural Context

In Portuguese-speaking cultures, particularly in more formal settings or when interacting with strangers, politeness is highly valued. The Conditional tense is your go-to tool for demonstrating this respect. Using forms like gostaria (I would like) or poderia (you could/would be able to) in polite requests is not just good grammar; it's a social expectation. It subtly conveys deference and consideration, making your interactions smoother and more positive. Mastering this aspect of Portuguese grammar will significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively and appropriately in various social situations, from a chic restaurant to a professional meeting.

Key Examples (8)

1

Eu **farei** o upload do vídeo amanhã cedo.

I will upload the video tomorrow morning.

Future & Conditional Stems: I will/would do (dir, far, trar)
2

Você me **diria** qual é a senha do Wi-Fi?

Would you tell me what the Wi-Fi password is?

Future & Conditional Stems: I will/would do (dir, far, trar)
3

Eu faria tudo diferente se tivesse outra chance.

I would do everything differently if I had another chance.

Short & Sweet: Irregular Conditional Stems
4

Você me faria um favorzinho?

Would you do me a little favor?

Short & Sweet: Irregular Conditional Stems
5

Eu gostaria de um café, por favor.

I would like a coffee, please.

Portuguese Conditional Tense: Saying 'Would' (Futuro do Pretérito)
6

Se eu tivesse dinheiro, viajaria pelo mundo.

If I had money, I would travel the world.

Portuguese Conditional Tense: Saying 'Would' (Futuro do Pretérito)
7

Eu comeria uma pizza inteira agora.

I would eat a whole pizza right now.

Portuguese Conditional: Expressing 'Would' (Eu faria)
8

Você poderia me passar o sal?

Could you pass me the salt?

Portuguese Conditional: Expressing 'Would' (Eu faria)

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

The 'R' Rule

All these stems end in 'r'. If it doesn't end in 'r', it's likely wrong.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Future & Conditional Stems: I will/would do (dir, far, trar)
🎯

The 'R' Rule

All three irregulars (dizer, fazer, trazer) have an 'R' in their stem. If it doesn't have an 'R', it's probably not one of these three!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Short & Sweet: Irregular Conditional Stems
💡

The Infinitive Base

Always use the full infinitive (falar, comer, partir) as your base. Don't drop the -ar, -er, or -ir.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Conditional Tense: Saying 'Would' (Futuro do Pretérito)
💡

The 'IA' Rule

Always look for the 'ia' ending. It is the signature of the conditional.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Conditional: Expressing 'Would' (Eu faria)

Key Vocabulary (6)

Faria Would do/make Diria Would say Traria Would bring Gostaria Would like Poderia Could (would be able to) Seria Would be

Real-World Preview

coffee

Fine Dining Request

Review Summary

  • Stem + -ia, -ias, -ia, -íamos, -íeis, -iam
  • Infinitive + -ia endings

Common Mistakes

Using 'quero' is too direct. 'Gostaria' is the polite way to express desire.

Wrong: Eu quero um café.
Correct: Eu gostaria de um café.

Students often treat irregulars as regulars. Remember the stem 'far-'.

Wrong: Eu fazeria isso.
Correct: Eu faria isso.

When speculating about location, use 'estar' in the conditional, not 'ser'.

Wrong: Ele teria sido lá.
Correct: Ele estaria lá.

Next Steps

You have navigated the conditional tense like a pro! Keep practicing these forms in your daily life to make them second nature.

Listen to a Portuguese podcast and note every time you hear a verb ending in -ia.

Continue to: Advanced Timelines and Completed Actions

Quick Practice (10)

Conjugate the verb in parentheses.

Eu ___ (falar) com ele se pudesse.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: falaria
Conditional is required for the result clause.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Conditional: The 'Would' Tense (Futuro do Pretérito)

Fill in the blank.

Você ___ (dizer) a verdade?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: diria
Correct stem.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Short & Sweet: Irregular Conditional Stems

Fix the error in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu quero um café, por favor.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu gostaria de um café, por favor.
Gostaria is more polite.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Conditional: Expressing 'Would' (Eu faria)

Fill in the blank with the correct conditional form.

Onde ___ (estar) a chave?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: estaria
It's a guess about the past.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Guessing the Past: Using the Conditional for Probability

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ele teria ido.
Teria + participle.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Guessing the Past: Using the Conditional for Probability

Conjugate the verb in parentheses.

Eu ___ (falar) com ele se pudesse.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: falaria
Conditional is needed for hypothetical.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Conditional: Expressing 'Would' (Eu faria)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu faria isso.
Correct stem.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Short & Sweet: Irregular Conditional Stems

Select the correct form.

O que você ___ (dizer)?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: diria
Stem is 'dir-'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Future & Conditional Stems: I will/would do (dir, far, trar)

Fix the error in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu gostaria que você faz isso.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu gostaria que você fizesse isso.
Gostaria que + subjunctive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Conditional: The 'Would' Tense (Futuro do Pretérito)

Conjugate the verb in the conditional.

Eu ___ (falar) com ele.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: falaria
The conditional ending for 'Eu' is -ia.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Conditional Tense: Saying 'Would' (Futuro do Pretérito)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

They are remnants of Latin contractions that persisted in the language.
No, it is grammatically incorrect. Always use 'farei'.
They evolved from Latin with a shortened stem to make speech faster.
No, it is grammatically incorrect and sounds unnatural.
No, use the future indicative for facts. The conditional is for hypothetical events.
Because it describes a future action from the perspective of the past.
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Advanced Timelines and Completed Actions
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