no fos que
Preventive No Fos Que
No fos que introduces a precaution against an unwelcome possibility.
How It Works
No fos que corresponds to lest or in case something undesirable happens. It explains why somebody takes a precaution: agafa un paraigua, no fos que plogués. The feared circumstance is not asserted as a fact.
The construction uses the subjunctive, commonly imperfect subjunctive in the clause following que. Its imperfect form can concern a possible future event; it does not necessarily describe something that already happened.
Keep the preventive meaning distinct from a factual explanation with perquè and from neutral conditional si. In a longer narrative, a compound subjunctive can locate the feared event earlier, but a straightforward precaution normally needs only the simple form.
Examples (3)
- Agafa un paraigua, no fos que plogués.
Take an umbrella in case it rains.
- Parla fluix, no fos que es despertés.
Speak softly in case she wakes up.
- Portem aigua, no fos que en faltés.
Let us bring water in case there is not enough.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Recognize subjunctive forms and nonasserted content before extending the mood to new clauses.
Related Patterns
- com si + Imperfect SubjunctiveCom Si with the Imperfect Subjunctive
Recognize imperfect subjunctive outside past narration.
Level 4 - Subjunctive in Future Time Clauses
Compare another prospective subordinate clause.
Level 4 - perquè (causal i final)Causal and Purpose Perquè
Distinguish purpose or precaution from a factual cause.
Level 6
Words in This Pattern
Practice no fos que in Bubblegum
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