Presente do Conjuntivo

This mood usually lives in two-part sentences. You rarely see it standing alone. It usually follows a "trigger" in the first part. Imagine a bridge connecting two ideas. The word que is often that bridge. Part A sets the mood or the condition. Part B uses the Presente do Conjuntivo. For example: "I want (Part A) that (Bridge) you stay (Part B)." In Portuguese, that is Quero que fiques. The first verb Quero is a fact. It is what you want. The second verb fiques is a wish. It hasn't happened yet. It might not happen at all. That uncertainty is why we use the subjunctive. It signals that the action depends on something else. It is the grammar of influence and possibility. If you change the trigger, you change the mood. It is a beautiful dance between certainty and doubt.

1. 1Building this tense is like a magic trick. You start with the Present Indicative. Follow these three simple steps:
2. 2Take the eu form of the present tense. For example, falar becomes falo.
3. 3Remove the final -o. Now you have the stem: fal-.
4. 4Add the "opposite" endings. This is the fun part.
5. 5For -AR verbs, use -E endings:
6. 6eu -e
7. 7tu -es
8. 8ele/ela/você -e
9. 9nós -emos
10. 10vós -eis
11. 11eles/elas/vocês -em
12. 12For -ER and -IR verbs, use -A endings:
13. 13eu -a
14. 14tu -as
15. 15ele/ela/você -a
16. 16nós -amos
17. 17vós -ais
18. 18eles/elas/vocês -am
19. 19Yes, you read that right. -AR verbs act like -ER verbs. -ER verbs act like -AR verbs. It is a total swap! Just remember: falar -> fale, comer -> coma, abrir -> abra. There are a few irregulars like ser (seja) and ir (vá). But once you learn the big six, the rest is easy.

Use this mood whenever reality is a bit fuzzy. We use the acronym WEIRD to remember the triggers.

• Wishes: Desejo que tenhas sorte. (I wish you luck.)
• Emotions: Fico feliz que estejas aqui. (I'm happy you're here.)
• Impersonal Expressions: É importante que estudes. (It's important that you study.)
• Requests/Commands: Peço que fales baixo. (I ask that you speak quietly.)
• Doubts: Duvido que ele venha. (I doubt he's coming.)

Think about real-world scenarios. In a job interview, you might say: Espero que a empresa cresça. (I hope the company grows.) It shows ambition and politeness. When ordering food, you might say: Quero que o bife esteja bem passado. (I want the steak well done.) It sounds more natural than a direct command. If you are asking for directions, you might hear: É melhor que vires à esquerda. (It is better that you turn left.) It is everywhere! It is the language of social interaction and courtesy.

Do not use the subjunctive for facts. If you are 100% sure, use the Indicative.

• Certainty: Eu sei que ele vem. (I know he is coming.)
• Truths: É verdade que o sol brilha. (It is true the sun shines.)
• Beliefs (Positive): Acho que ele está em casa. (I think he is at home.)

Wait, notice that last one? Acho que usually takes the Indicative. But if you make it negative (Não acho que), the doubt creeps in. Then you must use the subjunctive! It is all about your perspective. If you feel it is a fact, stay indicative. If you feel it is an opinion or a possibility, go subjunctive. Don't use it after porque (because) or visto que (since). Those words introduce reasons, and reasons are usually facts. Keep it simple: facts are indicative, feelings are subjunctive.

One big mistake is forgetting the que. In English, we often drop it. We say "I hope you win." In Portuguese, you cannot say Espero ganhes. You must say Espero que ganhes. The que is the glue. Another mistake is using the wrong stem. Always start with the eu form. If you use the infinitive stem, you will get irregulars wrong. For example, trazer (to bring) becomes trago in the eu form. So the subjunctive is traga, not traza.

Learners also mix up talvez (maybe). In Portugal, talvez almost always triggers the subjunctive: Talvez ele vá. Using the indicative here sounds very foreign. Finally, watch out for embora (although). It always needs the subjunctive. Even if the fact is true! Embora esteja sol, tenho frio. (Although it is sunny, I am cold.) It feels weird, but it is the rule. Think of embora as a special guest that demands the subjunctive red carpet.

Compare Acho que with Duvido que.

• Acho que ele tem razão. (I think he is right - Indicative).
• Duvido que ele tenha razão. (I doubt he is right - Subjunctive).

See the difference? The first is a statement of belief. The second is a statement of doubt. What about para que (so that) vs porque (because)?

• Estudo porque quero aprender. (I study because I want to learn - Fact).
• Estudo para que possa aprender. (I study so that I can learn - Purpose/Goal).

Purpose and goals are always in the future and uncertain. Therefore, they take the subjunctive. It is the mood of the "unrealized." If it hasn't happened yet and depends on something else, the subjunctive is your best friend. It is much more common in Portuguese than in English. English speakers often use "should" or "might" instead. In Portuguese, we just change the verb ending.