Future Possibilities: Using 'If' (Futuro do Subjuntivo)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the 'Futuro do Subjuntivo' to express hypothetical future events that depend on a condition.
- Use it after 'se' (if) to describe a future possibility: 'Se eu for, eu aviso.'
- Use it after 'quando' (when) for future time clauses: 'Quando você chegar, ligue-me.'
- It is identical to the personal infinitive in regular verbs, but distinct in irregulars.
Overview
Ever sent a text saying "If I have time tomorrow, I'll call you"? In English, we use the simple present "have." In Portuguese, that's a trap. If you say se eu tenho tempo, you sound like you're talking about a habitual fact, not a future possibility.
The Future Subjunctive is the secret sauce for real, possible conditions. It’s what you use when the outcome depends on something that hasn't happened yet. Think of it as the "Waiting Room" of grammar.
You're waiting for a condition to be met before the next thing happens. It’s incredibly common in daily life. From ordering an Uber to planning a Netflix marathon, this rule is everywhere.
If you want to sound like a native, you can't skip this. It's the difference between sounding like a textbook and sounding like a friend. Don't worry, it's not as scary as it sounds.
Most verbs follow a very predictable pattern. Even the irregular ones have a logical root. Let's get you speaking like a Carioca or a Lisboeta in no time.
Just remember: if it's in the future and it starts with se, the subjunctive is your best friend. Why did the subjunctive go to therapy? Because it had too many conditions.
Okay, bad joke, let's move on!
How This Grammar Works
se (if). The result is what happens if that condition comes true.irei), the present (vou), or even an order (me ligue). Most modern speakers prefer the present for the result.Se você vier, a gente pede pizza. (If you come, we’ll order pizza). Notice how the se part triggers that change.Formation Pattern
falar (to speak). They spoke is falaram. Now, throw away the -am. What's left? falar-. This is your base for the Future Subjunctive. It works for almost every verb, even the weird ones!
fizeram (they did).
-am ending: fizer-.
eu: (none) -> fizer
tu: -es -> fizeres
ele/ela/você: (none) -> fizer
nós: -mos -> fizermos
eles/elas/vocês: -em -> fizerem
ter (to have). Preterit plural is tiveram. Base is tiver. So: se eu tiver. Easy, right? For regular verbs like comer, the past is comeram, so the base is comer. This looks exactly like the infinitive, which confuses people! But the logic is different. Always trust the "they spoke" method. It never lies. Masculine and feminine agreement doesn't apply to the verb itself. Verbs don't care about gender, only about who is doing the action. Whether you're a homem or a mulher, you still say se eu quiser. If you get stuck, just think of the most irregular past you know. Ir becomes foram, so the future subjunctive is for. It’s like a grammar recycling program. Old past forms getting a second life in the future!
When To Use It
Curta esse post se você concordar.Se o Uber chegar agora, a gente não se atrasa. (If the Uber arrives now, we won't be late). Think about your Netflix settings.Se você mudar o idioma... (If you change the language...). It’s for conditions that feel "reachable." You can use it with se (if) or quando (when). Though they mean different things, they both trigger this tense for future events.Se eu for contratado, darei o meu melhor. (If I am hired, I will give my best). In casual WhatsApp chats, it’s even simpler. Se der, eu vou. (If it’s possible, I’m going).dar. It’s the ultimate lazy-but-perfectly-grammatical response. Use it for travel vlogs: Se a vista for bonita, eu tiro uma foto. (If the view is beautiful, I'll take a photo).Common Mistakes
se. English speakers always do this. They say Se eu tenho tempo instead of Se eu tiver tempo. In Portuguese, se eu tenho implies "If it is a fact that I have (now)." It sounds clunky when talking about tomorrow. Another classic error is confusing ver (to see) and vir (to come). This is the final boss of Portuguese grammar. Ver becomes vir in the future subjunctive. Vir becomes vier. Read that again. It’s confusing! If you see someone, it's se eu vir. If you come to my house, it's se eu vier. Many natives even mess this up, so don't beat yourself up. Just remember: ver -> vir, vir -> vier. Another mistake is forgetting the -es for the tu form in Portugal. Brazilians usually stick to você, so they avoid that extra syllable. Don't use the Imperfect Subjunctive (se eu tivesse) for real future plans. That's for "If I had (but I don't)." If you want to actually do the thing, keep it in the Future Subjunctive. Mistakes are just proof you're trying. If grammar were easy, we'd all be speaking Latin by now. And trust me, nobody wants to order a pizza in Latin.Contrast With Similar Patterns
Se eu tivesse dinheiro, eu viajaria. (If I had money—which I don't—I would travel).Se eu tiver dinheiro, eu viajo. (If I have money—and I might—I’m traveling). The Future Subjunctive is hopeful!Si tengo tiempo.Para você falar (Personal Infinitive) vs Se você falar (Future Subjunctive). The difference is the trigger word.Para, sem, and ao usually trigger the infinitive. Se and quando trigger the subjunctive. It’s like choosing the right emoji for a text.Quick FAQ
Is it always different from the infinitive?
No! For regular verbs like comer, it looks exactly the same. Only irregulars like ter -> tiver show the difference clearly.
Can I use se with the future tense like se eu terei?
Never. That is a grammatical crime. Se + future tense is 100% wrong in Portuguese.
What if the condition is happening right now?
Use the present indicative. Se você está feliz, eu estou feliz.
Do I need to use this in Brazil?
Yes, absolutely. Brazilians use this every single day. It’s not just "formal" Portuguese.
What’s the most important irregular verb to know?
Ir (to go) and Ser (to be). They both become for. Se eu for ao Brasil... (If I go to Brazil...).
Can I use it with enquanto (while)?
Usually, enquanto takes the present. Stick to se and quando for the future subjunctive.
Is there a short version?
In casual speech, people might skip the se and just use the tone, but it's rare. Keep the se.
Does it work for all levels?
It's C1 because it requires knowing the preterit perfectly and understanding the nuance of possibility.
How do I practice?
Talk about your plans for next weekend. Use "If it doesn't rain..." or "If my friend comes..."
Is this the hardest part of Portuguese?
It's up there, but once you master the "Past Plural" trick, it’s actually very logical!
Conjugation of Regular Verbs
| Person | -AR (Falar) | -ER (Comer) | -IR (Partir) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Eu
|
falar
|
comer
|
partir
|
|
Tu
|
falares
|
comeres
|
partires
|
|
Ele/Você
|
falar
|
comer
|
partir
|
|
Nós
|
falarmos
|
comermos
|
partirmos
|
|
Vós
|
falardes
|
comerdes
|
partirdes
|
|
Eles/Vocês
|
falarem
|
comerem
|
partirem
|
Meanings
The Futuro do Subjuntivo is used to express an action that may or may not happen in the future, often triggered by 'se' (if) or 'quando' (when).
Conditional Future
Expressing a condition that must be met for a future action.
“Se ele vier, ficaremos felizes.”
“Se tivermos tempo, viajaremos.”
Temporal Future
Expressing a future point in time when an action will occur.
“Quando eu for ao Brasil, visitarei o Rio.”
“Quando você vir o resultado, me conte.”
Indefinite Future
Referring to whoever or whatever might happen in the future.
“Quem viver, verá.”
“O que for, será.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Se + Future Subj.
|
Se eu for, vou.
|
|
Negative
|
Se + não + Future Subj.
|
Se eu não for, não vou.
|
|
Question
|
Se + Future Subj. + ...?
|
Se você for, você me avisa?
|
|
Temporal
|
Quando + Future Subj.
|
Quando eu chegar, aviso.
|
|
Indefinite
|
Quem + Future Subj.
|
Quem viver, verá.
|
|
Compound
|
Se + Future Subj. + Future Indicative
|
Se eu tiver, darei.
|
Formality Spectrum
Se Vossa Senhoria quiser, podemos prosseguir. (Casual invitation)
Se você quiser, podemos ir. (Casual invitation)
Se quiser, a gente vai. (Casual invitation)
Se quiser, bora. (Casual invitation)
Future Subjunctive Triggers
Conjunctions
- Se If
- Quando When
- Assim que As soon as
Pronouns
- Quem Whoever
- O que Whatever
- Onde Wherever
Examples by Level
Se eu for, aviso.
If I go, I'll let you know.
Se você puder, venha.
If you can, come.
Quando eu chegar, ligo.
When I arrive, I'll call.
Se ele quiser, fazemos.
If he wants, we'll do it.
Se tivermos tempo, vamos ao cinema.
If we have time, we'll go to the movies.
Quando você vir o filme, me diga.
When you see the movie, tell me.
Se eles não vierem, cancelamos.
If they don't come, we'll cancel.
Quando o sol sair, caminhamos.
When the sun comes out, we'll walk.
Assim que você souber a resposta, avise-me.
As soon as you know the answer, let me know.
Se você puser o livro aqui, ele cai.
If you put the book here, it will fall.
Enquanto houver esperança, lutaremos.
As long as there is hope, we will fight.
Se eles fizerem o trabalho, receberão.
If they do the work, they will receive it.
Seja como for, precisamos decidir.
However it may be, we need to decide.
Quem encontrar a chave, ganha um prêmio.
Whoever finds the key wins a prize.
Se você trouxer os documentos, assinaremos.
If you bring the documents, we will sign.
Quando eles dispuserem de tempo, falaremos.
When they have time available, we will talk.
Se o governo mantiver a política, haverá protestos.
If the government maintains the policy, there will be protests.
Quando você vir a ser promovido, entenderá.
When you come to be promoted, you will understand.
Se ele se contiver, tudo ficará bem.
If he restrains himself, everything will be fine.
O que quer que você disser, não mudará nada.
Whatever you say, it won't change anything.
Se houverem de ocorrer mudanças, que sejam imediatas.
If changes are to occur, let them be immediate.
Quando o sol se puser, a cerimônia terá início.
When the sun sets, the ceremony will begin.
Se o réu não se houver defendido, o juiz decidirá.
If the defendant has not defended himself, the judge will decide.
Quem o vir, dirá que é um estranho.
Whoever sees him will say he is a stranger.
Easily Confused
They look identical in regular verbs.
Both are subjunctive, but different time frames.
English uses present for future conditions.
Common Mistakes
Se eu tenho tempo...
Se eu tiver tempo...
Quando eu chego...
Quando eu chegar...
Se eu vou...
Se eu for...
Se ele faz...
Se ele fizer...
Se você quer...
Se você quiser...
Se nós temos...
Se nós tivermos...
Quando eles vêm...
Quando eles vierem...
Se eu teria...
Se eu tiver...
Se eu tivesse...
Se eu tiver...
Quando eu vi...
Quando eu vir...
Se ele se contivesse...
Se ele se contiver...
Quando ele se dispôs...
Quando ele se dispuser...
Se ele mantivesse...
Se ele mantiver...
Se ele se houvera...
Se ele se houver...
Sentence Patterns
Se eu ___ (ter) tempo, eu vou.
Quando você ___ (vir), me avise.
Se eles ___ (fazer) o trabalho, receberão.
O que quer que você ___ (dizer), eu ouvirei.
Real World Usage
Se puder, me manda o link.
Quando eu tiver os resultados, entrarei em contato.
Se eu perder o voo, o que faço?
Se não chegar em 30 min, cancelo.
Se o contratado não cumprir, será multado.
Quem quiser participar, comente abaixo.
Check the Preterite
Don't use Present Indicative
Practice with 'Quando'
Regional Variation
Smart Tips
Stop and ask: is this future? If yes, use the subjunctive.
Think of the past tense (pretérito perfeito).
Use the future subjunctive to sound professional.
Use it in casual conversation, not just in writing.
Pronunciation
Stress
The stress remains on the same syllable as the infinitive.
Conditional rise
Se eu FOR, | eu AVISO.
The rise at the end of the first clause signals the condition.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of the Future Subjunctive as the 'Maybe' tense. If it's a 'maybe' in the future, use the 'r' ending.
Visual Association
Imagine a fork in the road. One path is labeled 'Se' (If) and the other 'Quando' (When). You are standing at the junction, and the signpost says 'Futuro'.
Rhyme
Se ou Quando no futuro, o verbo termina em R, eu te juro!
Story
Maria is planning her trip. She says: 'Se eu tiver (If I have) money, I will go. Quando eu chegar (When I arrive), I will be happy. Quem me vir (Whoever sees me), will know I am glad.'
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about your plans for next weekend using 'Se' and 'Quando'.
Cultural Notes
Very common in daily speech. Often shortened in slang.
Used more formally, often with 'tu' or 'você' distinctions.
Follows standard rules but often influenced by local syntax.
Derived from the Latin future perfect indicative.
Conversation Starters
Se você pudesse viajar amanhã, para onde iria?
O que você fará quando terminar este curso?
Quem você chamará quando fizer uma festa?
O que você dirá quando vir seu melhor amigo?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Se eu ___ tempo, vou.
Quando você ___ (vir), me avise.
Find and fix the mistake:
Se ele faz o trabalho, ele ganha.
Quando ele chega, ele liga.
Se eu teria tempo, eu vou.
A: Se você ___ (pôr) o livro aqui, ele cai. B: Entendi.
Se / eu / querer / ir / vou.
Se nós ___ a verdade, tudo melhora.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesSe eu ___ tempo, vou.
Quando você ___ (vir), me avise.
Find and fix the mistake:
Se ele faz o trabalho, ele ganha.
Quando ele chega, ele liga.
Se eu teria tempo, eu vou.
A: Se você ___ (pôr) o livro aqui, ele cai. B: Entendi.
Se / eu / querer / ir / vou.
Se nós ___ a verdade, tudo melhora.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
6 exercisesSe você ___ o bolo, eu compro as bebidas.
Se eu vejo o filme amanhã, te conto se é bom.
puder / Se / eu / ajudo / te
If they arrive late, call me.
Match these:
Se nós ___ o projeto hoje, poderemos descansar.
Score: /6
FAQ (8)
Because it refers to events that haven't happened yet.
Yes, for regular verbs, they are identical.
After 'se', 'quando', 'assim que', etc.
Check the 3rd person plural of the past tense.
No, use the imperfect subjunctive for the past.
Yes, it is standard in both.
It will sound incorrect to native speakers.
Only in very specific archaic or poetic forms.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Futuro de subjuntivo
Frequency of use.
Subjonctif
Morphology.
Konjunktiv
Grammatical structure.
Conditional 'tara'
Particle-based vs. conjugation-based.
Subjunctive mood
Particle usage.
Conditional markers
Lack of conjugation.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
Portuguese Wishes and Regrets: Independent Subjunctive (Subjuntivo Independente)
Overview Have you ever seen a Portuguese sentence that starts with `Que` and ends with an exclamation mark, but seems to...
Using 'Sem que': Without/Unless with Subjunctive
Overview `Sem que` is a fundamental subordinating conjunction in Portuguese, crucial for expressing actions that **fail...
If I Have Time: The Future Subjunctive of 'Ter' (tiver)
Overview The Portuguese Future Subjunctive of `ter` (to have), specifically the form `tiver`, is a critical grammatical...
Portuguese Time Limits: Using 'Até Que' (Until...)
Overview `Até que` in Portuguese functions as a crucial conjunction, establishing a temporal or conditional limit for an...
Imperfect Subjunctive (The "If I Were" Tense)
Overview The Imperfect Subjunctive in Portuguese serves as a crucial grammatical tool for expressing actions, states, or...
