B2 Subjunctive 10 min read Hard

Tense Matchmaker: Present vs Past Subjunctive

Match the tense of the subjunctive verb to the timeline of the main verb that triggered it.
Mark as Learned
Practice it

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Match your main verb tense to the correct subjunctive form: Present triggers Present Subjunctive, while Past triggers Imperfect Subjunctive.

  • Present/Future main verb triggers Present Subjunctive: 'Quero que você venha.'
  • Past/Conditional main verb triggers Imperfect Subjunctive: 'Queria que você viesse.'
  • The Imperfect Subjunctive is the 'past' version of the subjunctive, used for hypothetical or past-oriented desires.
Main Verb (Past) + que + Subjunctive (Imperfect) = Perfect Match

Overview

Mastering the Portuguese subjunctive mood requires understanding not just its various uses, but also the crucial concept of tense harmony or concordância verbal. This rule dictates that the tense of the subjunctive verb in a subordinate clause must align logically with the tense of the main verb in the independent clause. It is not merely a grammatical formality; it fundamentally ensures temporal coherence and conveys the precise nuance of desire, doubt, emotion, or necessity.

Without proper tense matching, your sentences can become temporally ambiguous or grammatically incorrect, leading to misinterpretations. For B2 learners, accurately applying this rule is essential for expressing complex ideas, nuanced feelings, and hypothetical situations with the clarity and precision expected in academic or professional contexts. The subjunctive functions as a temporal chameleon, adapting its form to reflect the time frame established by the primary action or state.

How This Grammar Works

The core principle governing Tense Matchmaker: Present vs Past Subjunctive is that the time reference of the dependent (subjunctive) clause must logically follow from the time reference of the independent (main) clause. When the main clause expresses a wish, doubt, or command that is relevant to the present or future, the Present Subjunctive is used in the subordinate clause. Conversely, if the main clause describes a wish, doubt, or emotion pertaining to the past or a hypothetical/unreal present/future, the Imperfect Subjunctive is required.
Consider the main clause as establishing a temporal window within which the subjunctive action or state exists. If this window is rooted in the present, the subjunctive verb also occupies that present or extends into the future. If the window is in the past, or if the main clause itself is hypothetical (like a conditional statement), the subjunctive verb must recede into the past, typically using the Imperfect Subjunctive.
This grammatical synchronization prevents semantic clashes and preserves the intended timeline of events or desires.
For example, if you say Eu quero que você me ligue (I want you to call me), the desire (quero) is present, and the desired action (ligar) is projected into the present or future. However, if your desire was in the past, Eu queria que você me ligasse (I wanted you to call me), both the desire (queria) and the desired action (ligar) are situated in a past or hypothetical context. The shift from Present to Imperfect Subjunctive (ligue to ligasse) precisely reflects this temporal distinction, conveying whether the desired action is still possible (from a present perspective) or if it's a regret or an unfulfilled past possibility.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming the correct subjunctive tense is critical. This section outlines the primary pairings between main clause tenses (triggers) and the dependent subjunctive tenses required. Familiarize yourself with these combinations, as they form the backbone of accurate subjunctive usage.
2
1. Main Verb in Present/Future Indicative, Imperative, or Present Conditional
3
When the main verb expresses a state, desire, doubt, or command relevant to the present or future, the Present Subjunctive is employed in the subordinate clause.
4
| Trigger Tense (Main Verb) | Subjunctive Tense (Subordinate) | Example Trigger Verb | Example Subjunctive Verb | Full Example |
5
|---------------------------|---------------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
6
| Present Indicative | Present Subjunctive | Eu espero... (I hope...) | ...que você chegue. | Eu espero que você chegue cedo. |
7
| Future Indicative | Present Subjunctive | Eles pedirão... (They will ask...) | ...que ele venha amanhã. | Eles pedirão que ele venha amanhã. |
8
| Imperative | Present Subjunctive | Diga-me... (Tell me...) | ...que horas são. | Diga-me que horas são. (or seja in some contexts)|
9
| Present Conditional (polite)| Present Subjunctive | Gostaria... (I would like...) | ...que você esteja bem. | Gostaria que você esteja bem. (Less common, but possible in BP for strong present desire) |
10
Present Subjunctive Conjugation (Regular Verbs):
11
| Person | falar (-ar) | comer (-er) | partir (-ir) |
12
|------------------|---------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
13
| que eu | fale | coma | parta |
14
| que tu | fales | comas | partas |
15
| que ele/ela/você| fale | coma | parta |
16
| que nós | falemos | comamos | partamos |
17
| que vós | faleis | comais | partais |
18
| que eles/elas/vocês| falem | comam | partam |
19
Present Subjunctive Conjugation (Common Irregular Verbs):
20
| Person | ser | estar | ir | ter | haver |
21
|------------------|---------------------|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
22
| que eu | seja | esteja | vá | tenha | haja |
23
| que tu | sejas | estejas | vás | tenhas | hajas |
24
| que ele/ela/você| seja | esteja | vá | tenha | haja |
25
| que nós | sejamos | estejamos | vamos | tenhamos | hajamos |
26
| que vós | sejais | estejais | vades | tenhais | hajais |
27
| que eles/elas/vocês| sejam | estejam | vão | tenham | hajam |
28
2. Main Verb in Past Indicative, Conditional, or Imperfect Conditional
29
When the main verb refers to a past event, a hypothetical present/future, or an unfulfilled condition, the Imperfect Subjunctive is used in the subordinate clause.
30
| Trigger Tense (Main Verb) | Subjunctive Tense (Subordinate) | Example Trigger Verb | Example Subjunctive Verb | Full Example |
31
|-----------------------------|---------------------------------|----------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|
32
| Preterite/Simple Past | Imperfect Subjunctive | Eu quis... (I wanted...) | ...que ela viesse. | Eu quis que ela viesse ontem. |
33
| Imperfect Indicative | Imperfect Subjunctive | Eu queria... (I wanted/used to want...) | ...que você me ajudasse. | Eu queria que você me ajudasse com isso. |
34
| Pluperfect Indicative | Imperfect Subjunctive | Eu tinha esperado... (I had hoped...) | ...que ele tivesse tempo. | Eu tinha esperado que ele tivesse tempo. |
35
| Conditional | Imperfect Subjunctive | Eu gostaria... (I would like...) | ...que chovesse. | Eu gostaria que chovesse amanhã. |
36
| Conditional Perfect | Imperfect Subjunctive | Eu teria preferido... (I would have preferred...) | ...que eles ficassem. | Eu teria preferido que eles ficassem em casa. |
37
Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation (Regular Verbs):
38
Remember, the Imperfect Subjunctive is generally formed from the third-person plural of the Preterite Indicative. Drop the -ram ending and add the appropriate Imperfect Subjunctive endings (-sse, -sses, -sse, -ssemos, -sseis, -ssem).
39
| Person | falar (-ar) | comer (-er) | partir (-ir) |
40
|------------------|---------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
41
| se eu | falasse | comesse | partisse |
42
| se tu | falasses | comesses | partisses |
43
| se ele/ela/você| falasse | comesse | partisse |
44
| se nós | falássemos | comêssemos | partíssemos |
45
| se vós | falásseis | comêsseis | partísseis |
46
| se eles/elas/vocês| falassem | comessem | partissem |
47
Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation (Common Irregular Verbs):
48
| Person | ser/ir | estar | ter | haver |
49
|------------------|---------------------|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
50
| se eu | fosse | estivesse | tivesse | houvesse |
51
| se tu | fosses | estivesses | tivesses | houvesses |
52
| se ele/ela/você| fosse | estivesse | tivesse | houvesse |
53
| se nós | fôssemos | estivéssemos | tivéssemos | houvéssemos |
54
| se vós | fôsseis | estivésseis | tivésseis | houvésseis |
55
| se eles/elas/vocês| fossem | estivessem | tivessem | houvessem |

When To Use It

Applying the correct subjunctive tense primarily depends on the temporal relationship between the main clause's action or state and the subordinate clause's action or state, combined with the modality of the main verb. This harmony is essential for conveying accurate meaning, particularly in expressing desires, doubts, emotions, and hypothetical scenarios.
  • Volition, Emotion, Doubt, Necessity (Present/Future Context): When the main verb expresses a desire, hope, emotion, doubt, or necessity in the present, the action of the subordinate clause is projected into the present or future, thus requiring the Present Subjunctive.
  • Espero que consigas resolver o problema. (I hope you manage to solve the problem.) – The hope is now, the managing is in the future.
  • É fundamental que estejamos preparados. (It's fundamental that we be prepared.) – The necessity is now, the preparedness is for now/future. Seja could be used too. Esteja focuses on the current state of being prepared. Seja focuses on the identity/state of being prepared.
  • Volition, Emotion, Doubt, Necessity (Past/Hypothetical Context): If the main verb expresses a desire, hope, emotion, doubt, or necessity that occurred in the past, or if the main clause itself is conditional/hypothetical, the action of the subordinate clause must also be in the past or be hypothetical, requiring the Imperfect Subjunctive.
  • Eu queria que chovesse ontem. (I wanted it to rain yesterday.) – The desire was in the past, and the desired action was for the past.
  • Ele duvidou que fossemos capazes. (He doubted that we were capable.) – The doubt was in the past, and the capability was a past assessment.
  • Gostaria que você me ligasse mais cedo. (I would like you to call me earlier.) – The desire is hypothetical/polite in the present, implying an unfulfilled or less likely action.
  • Concessive Clauses (embora que, ainda que, mesmo que): These clauses, which express contrast or concession, always take the subjunctive. The tense of the subjunctive follows the general harmony rules.
  • Embora chova, vamos sair. (Although it's raining, we're going out.) – Present consequence.
  • Embora chovesse, teríamos saído. (Although it was raining, we would have gone out.) – Past hypothetical consequence.
  • Final Clauses (para que, a fim de que): Expressing purpose, these constructions also demand the subjunctive, with tense harmony in play.
  • Estudamos para que aprendamos mais. (We study so that we learn more.) – Present action, present/future purpose.
  • Estudávamos para que aprendêssemos mais. (We used to study so that we would learn more.) – Past action, past/hypothetical purpose.
  • Impersonal Expressions (era importante que, teria sido bom que): Many impersonal expressions that trigger the subjunctive will also follow the tense harmony rules.
  • Era importante que estivesses lá. (It was important that you be there.) – Past importance, past presence.
  • Teria sido melhor que ele não tivesse ido. (It would have been better if he hadn't gone.) – Hypothetical past, past action.

Common Mistakes

Learners at the B2 level frequently make specific errors related to subjunctive tense harmony, often due to simplification, interference from their native language, or an incomplete understanding of the temporal dynamics.
  • Incorrect Default to Present Subjunctive: A very common mistake is using the Present Subjunctive even when the main clause clearly indicates a past or hypothetical context. This often stems from an initial focus on the Present Subjunctive in earlier learning stages.
  • ❌ Eu queria que ele fale comigo. (I wanted that he speaks with me.) – The main verb queria (imperfect indicative) demands a past subjunctive. fale is present.
  • ✅ Eu queria que ele falasse comigo. (I wanted that he spoke with me.) – Both verbs are correctly situated in a past/hypothetical frame.
  • Why it's wrong: The temporal clash. queria establishes a desire in the past, but fale tries to place the desired action in the present. This creates an illogical sequence.
  • Confusing Infinitive with Subjunctive after para: While para + infinitive is common when the subject doesn't change (Ele saiu para comer), when the subject does change, it often requires para que + subjunctive, and the tense must match.
  • ❌ Eu disse para ele ir. (I told him to go.) – Grammatically ambiguous; could imply I go with him, or it's simply less formal and can sometimes be acceptable in very casual BP, but not formal EP.
  • ✅ Eu disse para que ele fosse. (I told him to go.) – Clear subject change and correct tense harmony. disse (preterite) triggers fosse (imperfect subjunctive).
  • Why it's wrong: The infinitive ir does not carry the necessary subject agreement and mood that fosse provides in this context, and it fails to establish the correct temporal relationship when the main verb is in the past.
  • Direct Translation from English: English often uses infinitives or simple past forms where Portuguese requires the subjunctive. This direct mapping leads to errors.
  • English:

Imperfect Subjunctive Endings

Pronoun Falar (-asse) Comer (-esse) Partir (-isse)
Eu
falasse
comesse
partisse
Você/Ele
falasse
comesse
partisse
Nós
falássemos
comêssemos
partíssemos
Vocês/Eles
falassem
comessem
partissem

Meanings

This rule governs the selection of the subjunctive tense based on the tense of the main verb in the independent clause.

1

Past Desire/Doubt

Expressing wishes, doubts, or emotions that occurred in the past.

“Eu queria que você fosse comigo.”

“Ele não achava que fosse possível.”

2

Hypothetical Scenarios

Using the imperfect subjunctive after 'se' (if) to express conditions.

“Se eu soubesse, eu teria ido.”

“Se ele pudesse, ele viajaria.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Tense Matchmaker: Present vs Past Subjunctive
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Main (Past) + que + Subj (Imp)
Eu queria que ele viesse.
Negative
Main (Past) + não + que + Subj (Imp)
Eu não queria que ele viesse.
Question
Main (Past) + que + Subj (Imp)?
Você queria que ele viesse?
Hypothetical
Se + Subj (Imp), + Condicional
Se ele viesse, eu ficaria feliz.
Past Necessity
Era preciso que + Subj (Imp)
Era preciso que ele viesse.
Conditional
Gostaria que + Subj (Imp)
Gostaria que ele viesse.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Eu desejava que você viesse.

Eu desejava que você viesse. (Expressing a past wish.)

Neutral
Eu queria que você viesse.

Eu queria que você viesse. (Expressing a past wish.)

Informal
Eu queria que você viesse.

Eu queria que você viesse. (Expressing a past wish.)

Slang
Queria que tu viesse.

Queria que tu viesse. (Expressing a past wish.)

Tense Matchmaker Map

Main Verb

Present/Future

  • Present Subjunctive Present Subjunctive

Past/Conditional

  • Imperfect Subjunctive Imperfect Subjunctive
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

Eu quero que você venha.

I want you to come.

2

Eu queria que você viesse.

I wanted you to come.

3

Espero que ele goste.

I hope he likes it.

4

Esperava que ele gostasse.

I hoped he liked it.

1

Não acho que ele saiba.

I don't think he knows.

2

Não achava que ele soubesse.

I didn't think he knew.

3

É preciso que façamos isso.

It's necessary that we do this.

4

Era preciso que fizéssemos isso.

It was necessary that we did this.

1

Duvido que eles tenham vindo.

I doubt they have come.

2

Duvidava que eles tivessem vindo.

I doubted they had come.

3

Gostaria que você fosse comigo.

I would like you to go with me.

4

Se eu pudesse, eu iria.

If I could, I would go.

1

Embora ele soubesse, ele não disse nada.

Although he knew, he didn't say anything.

2

Por mais que eu tentasse, não consegui.

No matter how much I tried, I couldn't.

3

Ele agiu como se não soubesse de nada.

He acted as if he didn't know anything.

4

Seria melhor que você estivesse aqui.

It would be better if you were here.

1

Caso você tivesse me avisado, eu teria ajudado.

Had you warned me, I would have helped.

2

Era fundamental que a decisão fosse tomada ontem.

It was fundamental that the decision be taken yesterday.

3

Não havia ninguém que soubesse a resposta.

There was no one who knew the answer.

4

Ele desejava que o mundo fosse diferente.

He wished the world were different.

1

Se me tivessem dito, eu não teria aceitado.

Had they told me, I would not have accepted.

2

Fosse ele quem fosse, não deveria ter feito aquilo.

Whoever he was, he shouldn't have done that.

3

Desejava que houvesse mais tempo para a reflexão.

I wished there were more time for reflection.

4

Não obstante soubesse dos riscos, ele prosseguiu.

Notwithstanding that he knew the risks, he proceeded.

Easily Confused

Tense Matchmaker: Present vs Past Subjunctive vs Pretérito Perfeito vs. Imperfeito Subjuntivo

Learners confuse the simple past (fact) with the imperfect subjunctive (wish/doubt).

Tense Matchmaker: Present vs Past Subjunctive vs Present Subjunctive vs. Imperfect Subjunctive

Learners use the wrong tense based on the main verb.

Tense Matchmaker: Present vs Past Subjunctive vs Infinitive vs. Subjunctive

Learners use the infinitive after 'que'.

Common Mistakes

✗

Eu queria que você vem.

✓

Eu queria que você viesse.

Mixing past main verb with present subjunctive.
✗

Eu não achava que ele sabe.

✓

Eu não achava que ele soubesse.

Incorrect tense sequence.
✗

Se eu tenho tempo, eu iria.

✓

Se eu tivesse tempo, eu iria.

Using present instead of imperfect subjunctive in a conditional.
✗

Era importante que ele faz isso.

✓

Era importante que ele fizesse isso.

Using present instead of imperfect subjunctive.

Sentence Patterns

Eu queria que você ___.

Se eu ___ tempo, eu faria isso.

Era preciso que ele ___ a verdade.

Eu não achava que eles ___.

Real World Usage

Texting very common

Queria que você viesse logo!

Job Interview common

Esperava que a empresa oferecesse mais.

Social Media common

Se eu pudesse, estaria lá.

Travel occasional

Eu não sabia que fosse tão longe.

Food Delivery occasional

Eu queria que o pedido chegasse quente.

Academic Writing common

Era fundamental que os dados fossem analisados.

Sign up free to see all examples
💡

The 'Queria' Trick

Whenever you use 'queria' (I wanted), immediately prepare to use the imperfect subjunctive.
⚠️

Avoid the Infinitive

Never use the infinitive after 'que' when expressing a wish. It's a common beginner error.
🎯

Master the -sse

The -sse ending is your best friend. Once you learn it, you can conjugate almost any verb in the imperfect subjunctive.
💬

Regional Differences

In Brazil, the imperfect subjunctive is used in everyday speech. In Portugal, it is also common but can sound slightly more formal.

Smart Tips

Immediately switch to the imperfect subjunctive.

Eu queria que você vem. → Eu queria que você viesse.

Use the imperfect subjunctive after 'se'.

Se eu tenho dinheiro, eu compraria. → Se eu tivesse dinheiro, eu compraria.

Use the imperfect subjunctive after 'não achava que'.

Eu não achava que ele sabe. → Eu não achava que ele soubesse.

Use the imperfect subjunctive for polite requests.

Eu quero que você envie. → Eu gostaria que você enviasse.

Pronunciation

/ˈfɐ.lɐ.si/

Imperfect Subjunctive Endings

The '-sse' ending is pronounced with a soft 's' sound in Brazil and a slightly sharper 's' in Portugal.

Falling intonation

Eu queria que você viesse ↘

Indicates a completed thought or a resigned wish.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Past leads to Past: If the main verb is in the past, the subjunctive must be in the past (imperfect).

Visual Association

Imagine a seesaw. On one side, the main verb sits. If it's heavy (past), the other side (the subjunctive) must also be heavy (imperfect) to balance the sentence.

Rhyme

Main verb in the past, imperfect subjunctive is cast.

Story

Yesterday, I wanted (queria) that you came (viesse). I was afraid (tinha medo) that you forgot (esquecesse). But today, I want (quero) that you come (venha).

Word Web

queriaviesseduvidavasoubesseesperavafosseprecisavafizesse

Challenge

Write 3 sentences about what you wanted your friends to do yesterday.

Cultural Notes

In informal Brazilian Portuguese, the 'tu' form is often used with the 'você' verb conjugation, so you might hear 'Queria que tu viesse'.

European Portuguese speakers are very consistent with the 'tu' vs 'você' distinction.

In formal writing, the imperfect subjunctive is used extensively to maintain a high register.

The imperfect subjunctive comes from the Latin pluperfect subjunctive.

Conversation Starters

“

O que você queria que tivesse acontecido ontem?

“

Se você pudesse viajar agora, para onde iria?

“

Você achava que aprender português seria difícil?

“

O que seus pais queriam que você fizesse na infância?

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre um desejo que você tinha na infância.
Se você fosse o presidente, o que mudaria?
Descreva uma situação em que você duvidava de algo.
Como seria sua vida se você morasse no Brasil?

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct form.

Eu queria que você ___ (vir) comigo.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: viesse
Past main verb 'queria' requires imperfect subjunctive.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu não achava que ele soubesse.
Past main verb requires imperfect subjunctive.
Correct the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu esperava que você faz isso.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu esperava que você fizesse isso.
Past main verb requires imperfect subjunctive.
Transform to past. Sentence Transformation

Eu quero que ele venha -> Eu queria que ele...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: viesse
Change present to past subjunctive.
Conjugate 'falar' in the imperfect subjunctive for 'nós'. Conjugation Drill

Nós ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: falássemos
Correct ending for nós.
Match the verb to its imperfect subjunctive form. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Fizesse, Tivesse, Fosse
Correct conjugations.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Eu queria que você fosse. B: Eu também queria que você ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: fosse
Past wish requires imperfect subjunctive.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use: queria / que / ele / viesse.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Queria que ele viesse.
Correct word order.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct form.

Eu queria que você ___ (vir) comigo.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: viesse
Past main verb 'queria' requires imperfect subjunctive.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu não achava que ele soubesse.
Past main verb requires imperfect subjunctive.
Correct the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu esperava que você faz isso.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu esperava que você fizesse isso.
Past main verb requires imperfect subjunctive.
Transform to past. Sentence Transformation

Eu quero que ele venha -> Eu queria que ele...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: viesse
Change present to past subjunctive.
Conjugate 'falar' in the imperfect subjunctive for 'nós'. Conjugation Drill

Nós ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: falássemos
Correct ending for nós.
Match the verb to its imperfect subjunctive form. Match Pairs

Match: Fazer, Ter, Ir

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Fizesse, Tivesse, Fosse
Correct conjugations.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Eu queria que você fosse. B: Eu também queria que você ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: fosse
Past wish requires imperfect subjunctive.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use: queria / que / ele / viesse.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Queria que ele viesse.
Correct word order.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

13 exercises
Complete with the correct subjunctive form. Fill in the Blank

É importante que vocês ___ (ler) o contrato antes de assinar.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: leiam
Complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

Eu duvidava que eles ___ (saber) a verdade.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: soubessem
Identify the correct hypothetical statement. Multiple Choice

Which option is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Se eu fosse rico, viajaria o mundo.
Correct the verb tense. Error Correction

A professora exigiu que os alunos cheguem cedo.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A professora exigiu que os alunos chegassem cedo.
Match the trigger phrase to the correct subjunctive verb form. Match Pairs

Pair the trigger with the correct verb.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["fale","falasse","falar"]
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

arrumasse / quarto / mãe / minha / pediu / o / que / eu

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Minha mãe pediu que eu arrumasse o quarto.
Translate the phrase correctly. Translation

I would like you to stay.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Gostaria que você ficasse.
Complete the conditional sentence. Fill in the Blank

Se não ___ (chover), nós iríamos à praia.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: chovesse
Select the correct form for a future plan. Multiple Choice

Assim que você ___ (chegar), me avise.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: chegar
Find the mistake in the timeline. Error Correction

Foi pena que você não venha à festa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Foi pena que você não viesse à festa.
Select the correct verb. Fill in the Blank

Tomara que amanhã ___ (fazer) sol.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: faça
Match the tense name to the example sentence. Match Pairs

Match the grammar term to the sentence.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Espero que ela ganhe.","Esperava que ela ganhasse.","Se ela ganhar, ficarei feliz."]
Unscramble the hypothetical sentence. Sentence Reorder

eu / se / pudesse / voaria / ,

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Se eu pudesse, voaria.

Score: /13

FAQ (8)

It's essential for expressing past wishes, doubts, and hypothetical situations.

Yes, especially in Brazil. It's very common.

Simple past is for facts; imperfect subjunctive is for wishes/doubts.

No, that's a common mistake. Always match the tenses.

Yes, but the endings are very regular.

Use the present subjunctive.

Yes, the rules are the same, though usage frequency varies slightly.

Write sentences about past wishes.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Imperfecto de subjuntivo

Spanish has two forms (-ra and -se), while Portuguese primarily uses -se.

French moderate

Imparfait du subjonctif

Portuguese uses the imperfect subjunctive in everyday speech.

German partial

Konjunktiv II

German does not have a strict sequence of tenses like Portuguese.

Japanese low

Conditional forms

Japanese lacks a subjunctive mood entirely.

Arabic low

Jussive/Subjunctive

Arabic does not have a past-tense subjunctive sequence.

Chinese none

None

Chinese has no verb conjugation or mood system.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Saying 'Even If': How to Use Mesmo Que

Related Grammar Rules

C2

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...
B2

Using 'Sem que': Without/Unless with Subjunctive

Overview `Sem que` is a fundamental subordinating conjunction in Portuguese, crucial for expressing actions that **fail...
B1

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...
C1

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...
B2

Imperfect Subjunctive (The "If I Were" Tense)

Overview The Imperfect Subjunctive in Portuguese serves as a crucial grammatical tool for expressing actions, states, or...
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!