Portuguese Future Subjunctive – Conjugation and Usage

In the past, I’ve written about both the present and past subjunctive tenses. Now it is time for the future subjunctive.

So, when do we use the future subjunctive in Portuguese? In short, we use the future subjunctive when referring to possible scenarios in a future time.

Let’s look at it in greater detail.

Related reads!
• Portuguese Present Subjunctive: Conjugation and Usage
• Portuguese Past Subjunctive – Conjugation and Usage

Portuguese future subjunctive – conjugation

Regular verbs

For any  regular verb, you start with the infinitive form and add the following endings (marked in bold):

	Pintar (1st conjugation)	Mexer (2nd conjugation)	Atrair (3rd conjugation)
Eu	pintar	mexer	atrair
Tu	pintares	mexeres	atraires
Ele, ela, você	pintar	mexer	atrair
Nós	pintarmos	mexermos	atrairmos
Eles, elas, vocês	pintarem	mexerem	atrairem

! Note that for regular verbs, the future subjunctive has the same verb forms as the personal infinitive. Here’s an article about the latter: Personal Infinitive: What Is It and When to Use It.

Irregular verbs

The future subjunctive endings are the same for irregular verbs. 

However, instead of going from the infinitive form, you start with the  3-person plural of the preterite tense (pretérito perfeito), and replace the -am ending with future subjunctive endings:

	Ser foram	Fazer fizeram	Pôr puseram
Eu	for	fizer	puser
Tu	fores	fizeres	puseres
Ele, ela, você	for	fizer	puser
Nós	formos	fizermos	pusermos
Eles, elas, vocês	forem	fizerem	puserem

Portuguese future subjunctive – usage

Conditional clauses

We use the future subjunctive in conditional clauses* that are specifically introduced by se. 

Note that – in opposition to the past subjunctive –  the future subjunctive points toward a time ahead and implies realistic expectations (provided that the condition is fulfilled):

Se sair do trabalho mais cedo, vou até à praia. If I manage to finish work early, I’ll go to the beach.   Se tiveres tempo, passa pelo supermercado. If you have time, drop by the grocery store.

* Conditional clauses express contingency. In English, conditional clauses are often introduced by if, in case, unless, as long as, among others. 

Time clauses

We use the future subjunctive in time clauses* pointing to possible scenarios or situations in the future. 

These time clauses are often introduced by linking words such as quando, enquanto, assim que, logo que, sempre, among others:

Avisa-me assim que chegares. Let me know as soon as you arrive. Não falo contigo enquanto não pedires desculpa I won’t talk to you until you apologize.

* Time clauses locate time as occurring prior, simultaneously, or after that of the main clause (in this case, after). In English, time clauses are often introduced by linking expressions such as before, as soon as, as long as, or until, among others. 

Concessive clauses

We use the future subjunctive to exaggerate concession clauses*, as in no matter what.

This usage comprises a repetitive structure – a verb in the present subjunctive is followed by the same verb in the future subjunctive:

Diga o que disser, ninguém me ouve. No matter what I say, no one listens to me. Faças o que fizeres, não vai adiantar. Whatever you do, it won’t cut it.

* Concessive clauses express an idea that is in opposition to the main clause. In English, concessives clauses are often introduced with the linking words although, even if, even though, or despite the fact, among others. 

Note that the phrase in between the verbs – in the examples, o que –  varies depending on the context. Here’re a few other possibilities:

Quem	Venha quem vier, será sempre bem recebido. Whoever comes, will always be welcomed. Seja quem for, eu não tenho medo. Whoever it is, I’m not afraid.
Onde	Vá onde for, não se esqueça de levar o guarda-chuva. Wherever you go, don’t forget to bring your umbrella. Vão por onde forem, apanham sempre trânsito. No matter the route they choose, they always catch traffic.
Como	Faça como fizer, o bolo nunca me sai bem. No matter how I do it, the cake never tastes as it is supposed to. Venhas como vieres, de carro ou de comboio, o importante é que chegue a horas. Regardless of whether you come by car or train, the important thing is that you arrive on time.