Subjunctive Mood with the Con

The subjunctive rarely stands alone in a sentence. It usually needs a "trigger" to wake it up. This trigger is often a specific verb or conjunction. Most of the time, you will see the word que (that) acting as a bridge. This bridge connects your feeling to the action. For example, if you say "I want you to go," the "wanting" triggers the subjunctive. In Portuguese, we say Quero que você vá. The first part is a fact (I want). The second part is a possibility (you going). It is like a chemical reaction. You add the trigger, and the verb changes shape. It feels like magic, but it is just logic.

1. 1To build the Present Subjunctive, follow these simple steps. It is easier than it looks.
2. 2Start with the eu form of the Present Indicative. For falar, it is falo.
3. 3Drop the final -o. Now you have the stem: fal-.
4. 4Add the "opposite" endings. This is the trick!
5. 5For -ar verbs, use -e endings: fale, fales, fale, falemos, falem.
6. 6For -er and -ir verbs, use -a endings: coma, comas, coma, comamos, comam.
7. 7Watch out for the "Big Six" irregulars: dar (dê), estar (esteja), ir (vá), querer (queira), saber (saiba), and ser (seja).

You need the subjunctive in specific scenarios. Think of the acronym WEDDING (Wishes, Emotions, Doubts, Desires, Impersonal expressions, Negation, Generalizations).

• Wishes: Espero que você tenha um bom dia (I hope you have a good day).
• Emotions: Sinto muito que ele esteja doente (I'm sorry that he is sick).
• Doubts: Duvido que eles cheguem a tempo (I doubt they will arrive on time).
• Impersonal Expressions: É importante que estudemos (It is important that we study).
• Conjunctions of Purpose: Use it after para que (so that) or a fim de que.
• Conjunctions of Condition: Use it after caso (in case).
• Conjunctions of Concession: Use it after embora (although).

Do not use the subjunctive for facts. If you are 100% sure, stay with the indicative. For example, Eu sei que ele vem (I know he is coming). Knowledge and certainty are indicative territory. Also, watch out for the verb achar (to think/believe). In the affirmative, it takes the indicative: Acho que ele está em casa. Only when you make it negative do you switch: Não acho que ele esteja em casa. It is a subtle shift. Think of it as the difference between a firm handshake and a shrug of the shoulders.

One big mistake is forgetting the eu form stem. If the eu form is irregular, the subjunctive follows it. For trazer, the eu form is trago. So the subjunctive is traga, not traza. Another mistake is using the indicative after talvez (maybe). In Portugal, talvez almost always wants the subjunctive. In Brazil, people sometimes use the indicative in casual speech. But for your B2 exam, stick to the rules! Also, don't forget the que. It is the glue that holds the trigger and the verb together. Without it, the sentence falls apart like a bad sandwich.

Compare the Subjunctive with the Imperative. They look very similar! In fact, the polite imperative (você) uses the subjunctive forms. Fale! (Speak!) is just the subjunctive form used as a command. However, the context is different. The subjunctive needs a trigger verb like Quero que.... The imperative stands alone. Also, contrast it with the Future Subjunctive. The Present Subjunctive is for current doubts or general wishes. The Future Subjunctive (se você for...) is for specific conditions in the future. Don't mix them up, or you'll be time-traveling in your sentences!