Hypothetical If Clauses

This structure has two main parts. First, you have the condition. This starts with the word se. Second, you have the result. The condition uses the Imperfect Subjunctive. The result uses the Conditional tense. It is like a dance between two verbs. One verb sets the stage. The other verb shows the outcome. If the first part happens, the second part follows. But remember, these are just imaginary scenarios. We are not talking about real plans yet. It is all about the 'maybe' in life.

1. 1Creating these verbs is easier than it looks. Follow these simple steps for the se part:
2. 2Start with the Preterite 3rd person plural. Take the word falaram (they spoke).
3. 3Remove the -ram ending. Now you have the base fala-.
4. 4Add the Imperfect Subjunctive endings. These always end in -sse.
5. 5For eu, add -sse. For nós, add -ssemos.
6. 6Don't forget the accent on the nós form. It becomes falássemos.
7. 7Now, for the result part:
8. 8Take the full infinitive of any verb. Let's use comprar (to buy).
9. 9Add the Conditional endings. These are -ia, -ias, -ia, -íamos, -iam.
10. 10For eu, it is compraria. For nós, it is compraríamos.

Use this when you are daydreaming. Imagine you are at a job interview. The boss asks, "What would you do with a million dollars?" You respond with Se eu tivesse dinheiro, investiria. Use it for polite requests too. It sounds softer than a direct command. Use it to express regrets about the present. "If I lived in Lisbon, I would be happy." It is perfect for talking about impossible situations. Like if you were a bird or a time traveler. It adds flavor to your conversations. Your friends will be impressed by your nuance.

Do not use this for real possibilities. If there is a high chance of happening, stop. Use the Future Subjunctive instead. For example, Se eu tiver tempo, eu vou. This means you actually expect to have time. The hypothetical version is for low-probability events. Also, do not use it for simple facts. If you drop an egg, it breaks. That is a fact, not a hypothesis. Use the regular Present tense for that. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. Only go when the situation is 'yellow' or imaginary.

Many people mix up the two parts. They use the Conditional in the se clause. They say Se eu teria. This is a big no-no. It sounds very strange to a Brazilian or Portuguese ear. Always use the -sse form after se. Another mistake is forgetting the accent on nós. It is fizéssemos, not fizessemos. Pronunciation matters here. Also, watch out for irregular verbs. Verbs like ter, pôr, and vir are tricky. They don't follow the standard rules perfectly. Practice them until they feel natural. Even native speakers mess this up sometimes! Just keep practicing and you will get it.

Let's compare two similar sentences. Sentence A: Se eu ganhar, eu compro. Sentence B: Se eu ganhasse, eu compraria. Sentence A uses the Future Subjunctive. It means you are actually playing the game. You think you might win. Sentence B uses the Imperfect Subjunctive. It means you are probably not even playing. You are just dreaming while sitting on the couch. See the difference? One is a plan. The other is a fantasy. Choose your tense based on your confidence level. It is all about how 'real' the situation feels to you.