Welcome to the realm of hope, doubt & uncertainty!
It introduces a nuance of uncertainty that doesn't always translate easily into languages without this grammatical feature.
Take the phrase: “Something that isn’t true.”
In Portuguese, this can be expressed in two ways:
Algo que não é verdade. (Indicative Mood)
👉 This implies absolute certainty that it isn’t true; it is definitely false.Algo que não seja verdade. (Subjunctive Mood)
👉 This suggests some uncertainty about its truth, introducing a hypothetical element.
You see where I am going…the Subjunctive feels so human! 🤓
The Subjunctive mood is a fantastic part of all Romance languages, adding depth and color to how we talk about possibilities and “what ifs.”
Think of the Subjunctive as the perfect way to express human’s condition subjectivity.
👉 What might happen (Present Subjunctive)
👉 What’s likely to happen (Future Subjunctive)
👉 What’s unlikely or impossible to happen (Imperfect Subjunctive).
As a translator, I always miss the Subjunctive when it’s not there—it just makes everything more interesting!
It’s perfect for capturing that uncertainty that is inherent in life.
Hopefully, you’re starting to see the charm of the Subjunctive (or at least not dreading it anymore!). 😉
But I won’t lie—the Subjunctive can be tricky for non-native speakers. It’s one of the most challenging parts of Portuguese grammar, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming!
I’ve seen so many of my students gradually master the Subjunctive mood with my guidance—and so will you! Without a struggle or a drama.
To help you out, I’ve put together an incredible cheat sheet. This intuitive mind map will walk you through all three tenses of the Subjunctive, breaking down the differences in contexts like “going to the beach” in European Portuguese. 🏖️
If you’re ready to take the next leap and master the Subjunctive, I’ve created the ultimate guide to walk you through everything you need to know about the Subjunctive mood, including the simple and compound tenses—the amazing Subjunctive Self-Help Guide.
My special treat for you! I am sure it will be helpful.
With love,
Cat
Preview of the Subjunctive Mode Mind Map.
