English has a subjunctive, but it is almost invisible: it looks like the base form or like were. You find it in formal requests, recommendations, fixed expressions and unreal situations, and it is a favourite in C1 exams, academic texts and vestibular reading passages.O inglês tem subjuntivo, mas ele é quase invisível: parece a forma base do verbo ou were. Ele aparece em pedidos formais, recomendações, expressões fixas e situações irreais, e é um dos favoritos em provas de nível C1, textos acadêmicos e textos de vestibular.
C1 The present subjunctive: form
The present subjunctive is simply the base form of the verb, for every person. So there is no -s for he, she or it, be stays be, and the negative is not + base form, with no do. Tense does not matter: it is the same after a past verb.O presente do subjuntivo é simplesmente a forma base do verbo, para todas as pessoas. Então não há -s para he, she ou it, be continua be, e a negativa é not + forma base, sem do. O tempo verbal não importa: é igual depois de um verbo no passado.
| Form | Example | Português |
|---|---|---|
| no -s | I suggest that he take the earlier flight. | Sugiro que ele pegue o voo mais cedo. |
| be | It is vital that everyone be on time. | É fundamental que todos cheguem no horário. |
| negative | She asked that we not tell anyone. | Ela pediu que não contássemos a ninguém. |
| passive | They demanded that the decision be reviewed. | Eles exigiram que a decisão fosse revista. |
It does not follow the tense
Look at the table: She asked that we not tell, not “didn’t tell”. After a past reporting verb the subjunctive stays in the base form. Portuguese changes to “contássemos”; English does not change.Veja a tabela: She asked that we not tell, e não “didn’t tell”. Depois de um verbo no passado, o subjuntivo continua na forma base. O português muda para “contássemos”; o inglês não muda.
C1 Mandative subjunctive: requests, advice and necessity
We use the present subjunctive in that-clauses after verbs, nouns and adjectives that express a demand, a proposal, advice or importance. It is common in formal writing, rules, reports and legal or academic texts.Usamos o presente do subjuntivo em orações com that depois de verbos, substantivos e adjetivos que expressam exigência, proposta, conselho ou importância. É comum na escrita formal, em regulamentos, relatórios e textos jurídicos ou acadêmicos.
| Trigger word | Type | Português |
|---|---|---|
| insist, demand, request, ask | verbs | insistir, exigir, solicitar, pedir |
| suggest, propose, recommend, advise | verbs | sugerir, propor, recomendar, aconselhar |
| essential, vital, crucial, important, necessary | adjectives (it is … that) | essencial, vital, crucial, importante, necessário |
| recommendation, requirement, proposal, insistence | nouns | recomendação, exigência, proposta, insistência |
- The doctor recommended that my father reduce his salt intake. (O médico recomendou que meu pai reduzisse o consumo de sal.)
- It is essential that every candidate bring an official ID. (É essencial que todo candidato traga um documento oficial com foto.)
- The coordinator insisted that the report be submitted by Friday. (A coordenadora insistiu que o relatório fosse entregue até sexta.)
- Our proposal is that the library stay open until 10 p.m. (Nossa proposta é que a biblioteca fique aberta até as 22h.)
- I’d advise that you not sign anything before reading it carefully. (Eu aconselharia que você não assinasse nada antes de ler com atenção.)
Alternatives: should and the indicative
The subjunctive is standard in the US, in both speech and writing. In the UK, people often use should + base form, or in informal English the normal indicative. All three are correct, but the subjunctive is the safest choice in formal exams.O subjuntivo é padrão nos EUA, tanto na fala quanto na escrita. No Reino Unido, é comum usar should + forma base ou, no inglês informal, o indicativo normal. As três formas estão corretas, mas o subjuntivo é a escolha mais segura em provas formais.
subjunctive / should
Formal and correct everywhere.Formal e correto em qualquer lugar.
They suggested that she apply / should apply for the scholarship. (Sugeriram que ela se candidatasse à bolsa.)
indicative
Informal, mainly in the UK.Informal, principalmente no Reino Unido.
They suggested that she applies for the scholarship. (Sugeriram que ela se candidatasse à bolsa.)
Suggest + to? Never
✗ The teacher suggested us to read the novel. ✓ The teacher suggested that we read the novel. ✓ The teacher suggested reading the novel.Por influência do português (“sugeriu para a gente ler”), muitos brasileiros usam suggest + objeto + to. Com suggest, recommend e insist, use a oração com that ou a forma -ing.
C1 Fixed expressions with the subjunctive
Some old subjunctive forms survive in fixed expressions. You cannot change them freely, but you should recognise them in reading and use them for style in speaking and writing.Algumas formas antigas do subjuntivo sobrevivem em expressões fixas. Não dá para alterá-las livremente, mas você deve reconhecê-las na leitura e usá-las para dar estilo à fala e à escrita.
| Expression | Português | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Be that as it may, … | Seja como for, … | even so |
| Come what may, … | Aconteça o que acontecer, … | whatever happens |
| Suffice it to say that … | Basta dizer que … | I don’t need to say more than |
| If need be, … | Se for preciso, … | if necessary |
| So be it. | Que assim seja. | I accept it |
| God bless you. / Long live the king! | Deus te abençoe. / Viva o rei! | wishes |
- The results were disappointing. Be that as it may, we learned a lot. (Os resultados foram decepcionantes. Seja como for, aprendemos muito.)
- We can postpone the trip, if need be. (Podemos adiar a viagem, se for preciso.)
- Suffice it to say that she was not happy with the decision. (Basta dizer que ela não ficou nada contente com a decisão.)
C1 The past subjunctive: were
The past subjunctive is visible only with be: we use were for every person, including I, he, she and it. It expresses unreal or hypothetical situations in the present, after if, wish, as if / as though, would rather and suppose.O passado do subjuntivo só é visível com be: usamos were para todas as pessoas, inclusive I, he, she e it. Ele expressa situações irreais ou hipotéticas no presente, depois de if, wish, as if / as though, would rather e suppose.
- If I were you, I would apply to more than one university. (Se eu fosse você, me candidataria a mais de uma universidade.)
- I wish my brother were here to see this. (Queria que meu irmão estivesse aqui para ver isso.)
- She talks about Paris as though she were a local. (Ela fala de Paris como se fosse moradora de lá.)
- It’s high time the government took action. (Já passou da hora de o governo tomar uma atitude.)
- I’d rather you didn’t post that photo. (Eu preferiria que você não postasse essa foto.)
Was or were?
In everyday speech, If I was you and I wish he was here are very common. In formal writing and exams, prefer were. In the fixed phrase If I were you, were is strongly preferred in all registers.Na fala do dia a dia, If I was you e I wish he was here são muito comuns. Na escrita formal e em provas, prefira were. Na expressão fixa If I were you, were é o preferido em qualquer registro.
Formal inversion: were I to…, were it not for…
In very formal English, we can drop if and put were before the subject. Were … to + base form presents a hypothetical future event; Were it not for means “if it weren’t for” (“se não fosse”).No inglês bem formal, podemos tirar o if e colocar were antes do sujeito. Were … to + forma base apresenta um evento futuro hipotético; Were it not for significa “if it weren’t for” (“se não fosse”).
- Were the company to close, hundreds of families would be affected. (Se a empresa fechasse, centenas de famílias seriam afetadas.)
- Were it not for her scholarship, she couldn’t study abroad. (Se não fosse pela bolsa, ela não poderia estudar no exterior.)
- Were I in your position, I would accept the offer. (Se eu estivesse no seu lugar, aceitaria a proposta.)
Negative inversion
The negative goes after the subject: Were it not for…, never “Weren’t it for…”. Inversion with were is for writing and formal speeches, not casual conversation.A negação vem depois do sujeito: Were it not for…, nunca “Weren’t it for…”. A inversão com were é para a escrita e discursos formais, não para conversas informais.
Common Mistakes
Avoid these
✗ It is essential that he arrives on time. (formal exam) ✓ It is essential that he arrive on time.No registro formal, depois de essential that use a forma base, sem -s.
✗ The manager suggested me to take a break. ✓ The manager suggested that I take a break.Suggest não aceita objeto + to.
✗ They insisted that he didn’t leave. ✓ They insisted that he not leave.A negativa do subjuntivo é not + forma base, sem do / did.
✗ They recommended that the plan is approved. ✓ They recommended that the plan be approved.Na passiva, o subjuntivo usa be + particípio.
✗ Weren’t it for your help, I would fail. ✓ Were it not for your help, I would fail.Na inversão, o not vem depois do sujeito.
Quick Summary
| Use | Example | Português |
|---|---|---|
| after demand verbs | I insist that she stay. | Insisto que ela fique. |
| after adjectives | It’s vital that he be informed. | É vital que ele seja informado. |
| negative | We asked that they not wait. | Pedimos que não esperassem. |
| fixed expression | Come what may, we’ll finish. | Aconteça o que acontecer, vamos terminar. |
| unreal present | If I were rich, I’d travel. | Se eu fosse rico, viajaria. |
| formal inversion | Were it not for you, I’d quit. | Se não fosse por você, eu desistiria. |
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