the exterior of a neoclassical art museum in Brazil
Brazilian Portuguese Articles

How to use the future subjunctive in Brazilian Portuguese?

By: Fabiana Dametto Oliveira Thu Dec 12 2024
Brazilian portuguese
Verbs, Subjunctive Mood, Auxiliary Verbs

The future subjunctive in Brazilian Portuguese is used to describe an action that may potentially occur in the future. Much like other subjunctive tenses, it’s used in subordinate clauses that come after particular triggers, such as certain conjunctions like quando(when), and also in conditional clauses with se(if):

  • Quando você estiver pronto, por favor me avise.

    When you’re ready, please let me know.

  • Se você for ao mercado, por favor, compre ovos.

    If you go to the supermarket, please buy eggs.

Verbs in the future subjunctive are easy to conjugate, but deciding when to use this tense can take a bit more practice. Are you ready to know how to use this particular verb tense in Brazilian Portuguese? Keep on reading this post to learn more about all of this!

Table of Contents

    How to form the future subjunctive in Brazilian Portuguese?

    To form the future subjunctive in Brazilian Portuguese, follow these three steps:

    • Start by putting the verb in its third-person plural preterite indicative form:

      • eles viajaram(they traveled)

      • eles comeram(they ate)

      • eles dormiram(they slept)

    • Remove the -am:

      • viajaram → viajar-

      • comeram → comer-

      • dormiram → dormir-

    • Add the future subjunctive endings, as in the table below:

      Subject
      pronouns
      Ending
      -ar verbs
      viajar(to travel)
      -er verbs
      comer(to eat)
      -ir verbs
      dormir(to sleep)

      eu(I)

      -∅

      viajar

      comer

      dormir

      tu(you)

      -es

      viajares

      comeres

      dormires

      • você(you, sg.)

      • ele(he, it)

      • ela(she, it)

      -∅

      viajar

      comer

      dormir

      nós(we)

      -mos

      viajarmos

      comermos

      dormirmos

      vós* (you, formal)

      -des

      viajardes

      comerdes

      dormirdes

      • vocês(you, pl.)

      • eles, elas(they)

      -em

      viajarem

      comerem

      dormirem

      *This is a very formal “you” in the plural form and rarely used in everyday speech.
      Important

      If a verb ends in -air or -uir, you’ll also need to add an acute accent to the i in the tu and vocês / eles / elas forms:

      • sair(to go out) → tu saíres, eles saírem

      • construir(to build) → tu construíres, eles construírem

    Isn’t it simple?

    Tip

    For regular verbs, like those above, the eu, você, ele, and ela forms of the future subjunctive is the same as the infinitive verb.

    In irregular verbs, the stem changes completely in the preterite indicative.

    • ser(to be) → eles foram

    • fazer(to do, to make) → eles fizeram

    • saber(to go) → eles souberam

    Because the future subjunctive is based on the preterite form, this same stem change affects the future subjunctive as well. See the examples and the chart below:

    Subject
    pronouns
    ser → for-
    fazer → fizer-
    saber → souber-

    eu(I)

    for

    fizer

    souber

    tu(you)

    fores

    fizeres

    souberes

    • você(you, sg.)

    • ele(he, it)

    • ela(she, it)

    for

    fizer

    souber

    nós(we)

    formos

    fizermos

    soubermos

    vós* (you, formal)

    fordes

    fizerdes

    souberdes

    • vocês(you, pl.)

    • eles, elas(they)

    forem

    fizerem

    souberem

    *This is a very formal “you” in the plural form and rarely used in everyday speech.

    Take a look at this chart to see the most useful irregular verbs in the future subjunctive.

    Important: Future subjunctive vs. personal infinitive

    Students often ask what the difference is between the future subjunctive and the personal infinitive. That's because, in fact, regular verbs in the future subjunctive have the same conjugation as the ones in the personal infinitive.

    future subjunctivepersonal infinitive

    Quando eles viajarem ao Brasil, falarão outros idiomas.

    When they travel to Brazil, they will speak other languages.

    Apesar de eles viajarem, eles não falam outros idiomas.

    Although they travel, they don't speak other languages.

    However, with irregular verbs, the forms of the future subjunctive and the personal infinitive are different.

    future subjunctivepersonal infinitive

    Quando vocês estiverem no Brasil, me avisem.

    When you are in Brazil, let me know.

    Eu vou esperar até vocês estarem prontos.

    I will wait until you are ready.

    Therefore, it is still important to know the different contexts where you’ll use future subjunctive vs. personal infinitives. The future subjunctive is usually preceded by a conjunction, while the personal infinitive is usually preceded by a preposition.

    ↳TIP:
    The conjugations of two verbs, ver(to see) and vir(to come) in the future subjunctive and personal infinitive are particularly tricky to master. Check out this chart that compares these two verbs.

    How to use the future subjunctive in Brazilian Portuguese?

    Like the other subjunctive tenses, the future subjunctive is mostly used in subordinate clauses that contain information that is uncertain or unreal. However, the future subjunctive is used to talk about possible future actions as viewed from the present.

    subordinate clause

    Por favor, me avise quando você chegar em casa.

    Please let me know when you get home.

    → We presume that the person will get home in the future, but we don’t know exactly when it will happen.

    This makes the future subjunctive different from the present subjunctive, which describes actions that are quite likely, and the imperfect subjunctive, which describes actions that were in the future at a past moment.

    Important: Future subjunctive or present subjunctive?

    The future subjunctive and the present subjunctive can both be used to refer to a potential future event, but they have different “triggers,” which we’ll discuss below!

    imperativesubjunctive 'trigger'future subjunctivepresent subjunctive

    Me envie um email quando chegar em casa.

    Send me an email when you get home.

    Me envie um email para que eu possa te ajudar.

    Send me an email so I can help you.

    What tenses go with the future subjunctive?

    The future subjunctive is most often used when the verb in the main clause is in the imperative, the simple present, or the future indicative.

    main clause
    imperative
    present indicative
    future indicative

    subordinate clause
    future subjunctive

    One of the best ways to decide whether to use the future subjunctive or some other subjunctive tense is to look at the tense in the main clause. See the examples below.

    • imperativefuture subjunctive

      Não esqueça de fechar a janela quando sair de casa.

      Don’t forget to close the window when you leave the house.

    • present indicativefuture subjunctive

      Estou à disposição para o que você precisar.

      I’m available for whatever you need.

    • future indicativefuture subjunctive

      Devolverei o livro assim que eu terminar de lê-lo.

      I will return the book as soon as I finish reading it.

    Now let’s see the particular situations in which the future subjunctive is required.

    What constructions trigger the future subjunctive in Brazilian Portuguese?

    The future subjunctive can be triggered in the following constructions:

    • In subordinate clauses, after certain conjunctions

    • In relative clauses

    • In other types of subordinate clauses introduced by relative pronouns and adverbs

    • In certain set expressions with the structure: present subjunctive + linking word + future subjunctive

    • In “if-clauses"

    Let’s have a look at each of these cases and discuss them more in depth!

    Which conjunctions trigger the future subjunctive in Brazilian Portuguese?

    Certain conjunctions of time, like quando(when), and conformative conjunctions, like conforme(as), will generally be followed by a clause containing a verb in the future subjunctive. This is because they generally introduce an action or event that may happen in the future.

    conjunctionfuture subjunctive

    Claro, Mariana. Assim que eu chegar em casa eu te aviso.

    Of course, Mariana. As soon as I get home I'll let you know.

    Tire as dúvidas comigo conforme precisar.

    Clear up questions with me as needed.

    Here is a list of the most common conjunctions that trigger the future subjunctive in Brazilian Portuguese:

    • assim que(as soon as)

    • logo que(as soon as)

    • depois que(after)

    • enquanto(while)

    • quando(when)

    • conforme(as)

    • como(as)

    Important

    The conjunctions that trigger the future subjunctive can also be paired with verbs in the indicative mood.

    If the sentence refers to a habitual action or to an event that factually happens in the present or factually happened in the past, you should probably use tenses of the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive.

    • present indicative

      A Mariana sempre me telefona quando chega em casa.

      Mariana always calls me when she gets home.

      → It is habitual. It factually happens in the present.
    • preterite indicative

      Assim que a Mariana chegou em casa, ela me telefonou.

      As soon as Mariana got home, she called me.

      → It factually happened in the past.

    You can also read this post that talks about the main differences between the indicative and the subjunctive mood.

    When to use the future subjunctive in relative clauses?

    The future subjunctive can be used in relative clauses. A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause that, like an adjective, is used to describe a noun.

    The relative pronoun que(that) is used to introduce relative clauses in Brazilian Portuguese. When the verb in the main clause is in the simple present or future indicative, this relative pronoun que will often be followed by the future subjunctive:

    present indicativefuture subjunctive

    Eles querem estudar na escola que ficar mais perto de casa.

    They want to study at the school that is closer to home.

    Important

    Both the future subjunctive and the present subjunctive can be used in relative clauses. We could say:

    future subjunctivepresent subjunctive

    ✅ Eu quero um apartamento que tiver vista para o mar.
    ✅ Eu quero um apartamento que tenha vista para o mar.

    I want an apartment that has a sea view.

    Although there is no difference between these sentences in English, they are slightly different in Brazilian Portuguese. The difference is in the context:

    • The future subjunctive implies that you’re expressing a vague idea.

      It’s not certain that you'll have the apartment or even that you are looking for an apartment (think: “I would like an apartment that maybe has a sea view.”)

    • The present subjunctive implies more certainty about what is said.

      You are perhaps looking for an apartment already.

    When else does the future subjunctive follow relative pronouns?

    We often use the future subjunctive in other kinds of clauses that follow relative pronouns: those that act like nouns or adverbs instead of adjectives. These are clauses we would usually begin with words like “whatever,” “wherever,” “whoever,” or “however,” in English. The Brazilian Portuguese equivalents to these words are relative pronouns and adverbs: o que(what), onde(where), quem(who), and como(how).

    future subjunctive

    Trabalhe com o que quiser.

    Work with whatever you want.

    Iremos para onde vocês preferirem.

    We will go wherever you prefer.

    Quem chegar primeiro, avisa se há mais lugares.

    Whoever arrives first, let us know if there are more places.

    Você pode decorar a casa como quiser.

    You can decorate the house however you want.

    How to use the future subjunctive after linking words like ‘como’ and ‘o que’?

    You can use the future subjunctive after linking words like como(how) or o que(what) to create a modifying phrase that conveys that the action expressed in the main clause will happen no matter what. This is most often found in fixed expressions, but here is how these phrases are structured:

    present subjunctive

    linking word

    future subjunctive

    Seja como for, eles não permitirão a entrada dessas pessoas.

    No matter what, they won't let these people in.

    → Compare: “Let it be how it might be…”

    Haja o que houver, estaremos preparados.

    No matter what happens, I will be prepared.

    → Compare: “Let it have what it might have…”
    Did you notice that the verbs are repeated?
    Seja / for are two forms of ser(to be) and haja / houver are two forms of haver(to have), just in different tenses. The linking words, such as como(how) and o que(what), are usually relative pronouns that may vary according to the context.

    When to use the future subjunctive in “if-clauses”?

    We also use the future subjunctive in “if-clauses” that describe a future condition that will likely lead to some outcome.

    future subjunctive

    Se você tiver férias, poderemos viajar juntos no próximo mês.

    If you have a vacation, we can travel together next month.

    → The potential vacation is a condition on a future situation so we use the future subjunctive.

    Like other subordinate clauses with the future subjunctive, “if-clauses” that use the future subjunctive are usually paired with a main clause in the imperative, present indicative, or future indicative:

    • future subjunctiveimperative

      Se você sair, não esqueça de trancar a porta.

      If you go out, don’t forget to lock the door.

    • future subjunctivepresent indicative

      Se tiver notícias, por favor nos avise.

      If you have news, please let us know.

    • future subjunctivepresent indicative

      Se eu falar com a Maria, avisarei que você mandou um beijo a ela.

      If I talk to Maria, I’ll let her know you said “hi.”

    Important: Imperfect subjunctive vs. future subjunctive

    Both the imperfect subjunctive and the future subjunctive are used in “if-clauses.” However, they are paired with different verb tenses in the main clause:

    • The future subjunctive is paired with verbs in the imperative, present, and future indicative.

      future subjunctivefuture indicative

      Se vocês não viajarem, economizarão mais.

      If you don’t travel, you'll save more.

    • The imperfect subjunctive is paired with verbs in the conditional, preterite, and imperfect indicative.

      imperfect subjunctivepresent conditional

      Se vocês não viajassem, economizariam mais.

      If you didn't travel, you would save more.

    In addition, although both the future and imperfect subjunctive may refer to a hypothetical future condition, they differ in meaning:

    • The imperfect subjunctive is used for an action that is impossible or is unlikely or to happen (i.e. we don’t expect the condition to ever be met).

    • The future subjunctive is used for an action that might reasonably happen (i.e. we think it’s quite possible that the condition will actually be met)

    To sum up

    Let’s go over what we discussed about the future subjunctive:

    • The future subjunctive is used in subordinate clauses, to talk about a possible event at some undefined time in the future, if the main clause is in the imperative, present indicative, or future indicative.

    • The future subjunctive is formed by removing the -am ending of the eles(they) form of the preterite indicative and adding the future subjunctive endings. However, it’s important to keep an eye out for irregular verbs, which will take the same endings but use a special stem.

    • The future subjunctive describes situations that might reasonably happen in the future. This makes it different from the imperfect subjunctive, which refers to actions that we do not really expect to happen, and the present subjunctive describes actions that we expect to happen in the future.

    • These are the triggers for the future subjunctive:

      • Conjunctions that express time and conformity

      • Relative pronouns like o que(what), onde(where), and quem(who)

      • List item contentPresent subjunctive + linking word + future subjunctive using a repeated verb

      • “If-clauses” that indicate something likely to happen in the future if a condition is met.

    Now you can practice what you read about the future subjunctive with this activity!

    To embark on your next language adventure, join Mango on social!

    Ready to take the next step?

    The Mango Languages learning platform is designed to get you speaking like a local quickly and easily.

    Mango app open on multiple devices
    Log InSign Up