Irregular Present Subjunctive: The

The subjunctive rarely stands alone in a sentence. It usually lives in a secondary clause. You need a "trigger" in the main clause first. This trigger is often a verb of emotion. It could also be a doubt or a wish. Usually, the word que connects these two parts. For example, "I want that you be happy." In Portuguese, that "be" must be subjunctive. It is like a grammar relay race. The first verb passes the baton to the second. If the first verb is certain, use indicative. If the first verb is uncertain, use subjunctive. It is a simple logic for a complex mood.

1. 1Most verbs use the eu form of the present indicative. You just swap the final vowel for the opposite. But our irregular "Big Six" ignore this rule entirely. You must memorize these specific forms to sound natural.
2. 2Dar (To give): The stem changes to d-. It uses dê, dês, dê, demos, deis, deem.
3. 3Estar (To be): This becomes esteja. It follows the pattern esteja, estejas, esteja, estejamos, estejais, estejam.
4. 4Ir (To go): This one is very short. Use vá, vás, vá, vamos, vades, vão.
5. 5Querer (To want): The stem changes to queir-. Use queira, queiras, queira, queiramos, queirais, queiram.
6. 6Saber (To know): This becomes saib-. Use saiba, saibas, saiba, saibamos, saibais, saibam.
7. 7Ser (To be): This becomes sej-. Use seja, sejas, seja, sejamos, sejais, sejam.

Use these irregulars when you order food specifically. "I want the meat to be (esteja) well done." Use them in job interviews for your goals. "I hope that I am (seja) useful to the team." Use them when asking for directions or favors. "I need you to give (dê) me a hand." Use them for impersonal expressions like "It is important that..." Use them after talvez (maybe) to show doubt. They appear when you express joy or sadness. "I am happy that you know (saiba) the truth." Basically, if it is in your head or heart, use it. Even native speakers trip over these sometimes, so stay relaxed.

Do not use the subjunctive for absolute certainties. If you say "I know that...", use the indicative. "I know he is (é) here" uses the normal form. Never use it after verbs of belief in the affirmative. "I think he is (está) at home" stays indicative. Avoid it when there is no change of subject. "I want to go" is just Eu quero ir. You only need subjunctive if two people are involved. "I want *you* to go" triggers the change. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. Green is for facts; yellow is for the subjunctive.

Many people forget the accent on the verb dar. Without the accent, dê looks like the preposition de. This small mark changes the whole meaning of your sentence. Another mistake is mixing up ser and estar. Seja is for permanent traits or identities. Esteja is for locations or temporary feelings. Do not use the indicative vai when you mean vá. "I hope he goes" is Espero que ele vá. Using vai here sounds very unpolished to native ears. Yes, it is a lot to remember. Just take it one rebel verb at a time.

Compare the indicative with the subjunctive to see the difference. Você é legal is a simple fact about you. Espero que você seja legal is my personal hope. The first is a statement; the second is a wish. Look at Você sabe a lição versus Duvido que você saiba. The first is a reality I observe. The second is a doubt I am expressing. The indicative describes the world as it is. The subjunctive describes the world as we want it. It is the difference between a photo and a painting.