Present Subjunctive Forms of the Verb Poder

Portuguese has two main linguistic worlds. The first world is the Indicative. This is for facts and certainties. "I can go" is eu posso. The second world is the Subjunctive. This is for feelings, doubts, and wishes. "I hope I can go" is espero que eu possa. The verb changes its shape. It signals a shift in reality. You aren't saying it's true. You are saying you want it to be true. It's like switching a lens on a camera. Everything looks a bit softer and more subjective. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes. But you won't!

1. 1Start with the eu form in the present indicative.
2. 2For poder, that form is posso.
3. 3Now, drop the final -o from the end.
4. 4You are left with the stem poss-.
5. 5Add the new subjunctive endings to this stem.
6. 6For eu, add -a. You get possa.
7. 7For tu, add -as. You get possas.
8. 8For você, ele, or ela, add -a. You get possa.
9. 9For nós, add -amos. You get possamos.
10. 10For vocês, eles, or elas, add -am. You get possam.
11. 11It is a simple vowel swap from o to a.

Use it after specific "trigger" phrases. These phrases scream for the subjunctive mood.

• Wishes: Espero que você possa vir. (I hope you can come.)
• Doubts: Duvido que ele possa ajudar. (I doubt he can help.)
• Emotions: Fico feliz que possamos viajar. (I'm happy we can travel.)
• Possibility: É possível que eles possam chegar tarde. (It's possible they can arrive late.)
• Suggestions: Sugiro que você possa ler este livro. (I suggest you can read this book.)

Real-world scenario: You are at a job interview. You want to be humble. You say, "Espero que eu possa contribuir para a empresa." It sounds much better than "Eu posso contribuir." It shows respect for the process. It shows you are a polite professional.

Do not use it for certainties.

• Facts: Eu posso falar português. (I can speak Portuguese.)
• Observations: Ele pode correr rápido. (He can run fast.)
• General truths: O sol pode queimar a pele. (The sun can burn skin.)

If you are 100% sure, stay in the Indicative. Using possa here would sound weird. It would sound like you are doubting your own skills. Don't be that person! Keep the subjunctive for the "vibe" moments. Facts belong in the indicative world.

The biggest mistake is using the indicative after que.

• ✗ Wrong: Espero que você pode.
• ✓ Right: Espero que você possa.

Another mistake is confusing possa with passa. Passa comes from passar (to pass). Possa comes from poder. One is about ability. The other is about movement. Don't tell your friend to "can" the salt! Sometimes people forget the double ss. Remember, possa needs that strong "s" sound. Without it, it sounds like a different word entirely. Brazilians might slip up after a caipirinha. But you should keep your ss sharp.

Compare possa with consiga. Poder is about general ability or permission. Conseguir is about achieving something difficult.

• Espero que você possa vir. (General ability to come.)
• Espero que você consiga vir. (Hoping you overcome obstacles to come.)

Also, contrast with the Future Subjunctive puder.

• Quando eu puder... (When I am able to - future condition.)
• Embora eu possa... (Even though I am able to - present reality.)

The present subjunctive is about the "now" or "always." The future subjunctive is about a specific "if" or "when."