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Study Resource: Expressions that trigger the present subjunctive in Brazilian Portuguese

By: Ana Amélia Rodrigues dos Santos

The expressions listed in the sections below commonly “trigger” the present subjunctive in Brazilian Portuguese.

Expressions and structures that trigger the present subjunctive in the main clause


Expression	Example
talvez meaning maybe expressing doubt	Talvez nós nos mudemos esse ano. Translation: Maybe we’ll move this year.
talvez meaning maybe expressing doubt	Talvez eu não queira mais viajar. Translation: Maybe I don’t want to travel anymore.
using the imperative to express a wish	Que vença o melhor time! Translation: May the best team win!
using the imperative to express a wish	Deus te abençõe! Translation: God bless you!

Conjunctions that trigger the present subjunctive

The following conjunctions often introduce a clause in the present subjunctive.


Type	Conjunction	Example
Concession	ainda que Translation: even if/even though	Ainda que eu goste de futebol, não vou assistir ao jogo hoje. Translation: Even though I like football, I’m not going to watch the game today.
	embora Translation: although	Embora esteja frio, o dia está lindo! Translation: Although it’s cold, the day is beautiful!
	mesmo que Translation: even though	Mesmo que você saiba nadar, é bom ter cuidado no mar. Translation: Even if you can swim, it’s good to be careful in the sea.
Condition	caso Translation: in case	Caso você queira, eu te dou uma carona. Translation: If you want, I’ll give you a ride.
	a não ser que Translation: unless	Ele vai perguntar, a não ser que você fale antes. Translation: He'll ask unless you tell him first.
	desde que Translation: as long as	Eu vou à praia desde que faça sol. Translation: I go to the beach as long as it’s sunny.
Purpose	a fim de que Translation: in order to	Eu acordo cedo todos os dias a fim de que possa pegar o primeiro ônibus. Translation: I wake up early every day so I can catch the first bus.
Purpose	para que Translation: in order to / to	Vá de carro para que chegue mais rápido. Translation: Go by car to get there faster.
Time	antes que Translation: before	Faça agora antes que você desista. Translation: Do it now before you give up.
Time	até que Translation: until	Vou cantar até que o bebê durma. Translation: I'll sing until the baby sleeps.