posto que/conquanto + Subjunctive
Archaic Concessive Connectors
Posto que and conquanto are high-register connectors used to introduce a contrast or obstacle that doesn't stop the main action. They are formal equivalents to embora.
How It Works
In advanced Portuguese (Level 6), you will encounter posto que and conquanto primarily in literature, legal documents, and academic writing.
1. Syntactic Usage:
Both terms require the subjunctive mood. Specifically, they trigger the Present Subjunctive for current or future concessions, or the Imperfect Subjunctive for past or hypothetical ones. Unlike conditional 'se' clauses, they never take the Future Subjunctive.
Example: Conquanto seja difícil... (Although it may be difficult...).
2. Register:
These are not used in daily conversation. If you use them at a bakery, you will sound like a 19th-century poet or a judge. However, they are essential to become proficient in Law or Humanities.
3. Elliptical Constructions:
Posto que is frequently used in shortened forms without a verb, especially before adjectives.
Example: Um resultado satisfatório, posto que modesto. (A satisfactory result, albeit modest.)
4. The 'Causal' Trap and False Friends:
Be careful with posto que. While many Brazilians colloquially use it to mean 'since' (causal), traditional grammarians consider this an error; in formal exams, it must be concessive. Additionally, do not confuse conquanto (although) with porquanto (because/since). The latter is a causal or explicative connector.
Examples (4)
- Conquanto o réu alegue inocência, as provas são contundentes.
Although the defendant claims innocence, the evidence is conclusive.
Word by Word: Although the defendant alleges innocence, the proofs are conclusive.
Here, 'conquanto' triggers the present subjunctive 'alegue' to show a formal concession.
- Posto que a luta fosse longa, os soldados não recuaram.
Even though the fight was long, the soldiers did not retreat.
Word by Word: Placed that the fight were long, the soldiers not retreated.
Uses 'posto que' with the imperfect subjunctive 'fosse' to describe a past obstacle.
- Continuou a trabalhar, conquanto estivesse exausto.
He continued to work, although he was exhausted.
Word by Word: He continued to work, although he were exhausted.
A classic example of 'conquanto' used in a formal narrative context.
- Era um homem generoso, posto que pobre.
He was a generous man, albeit poor.
Word by Word: He was a man generous, placed that poor.
An elliptical use of 'posto que' where the verb 'to be' is omitted for stylistic brevity.
Common Mistakes
Using 'posto que' to mean 'because' (causal) in formal writing.
Fiquei em casa posto que estava chovendo.Fiquei em casa visto que estava chovendo.In formal standards, 'posto que' means 'although'. To say 'because' or 'since', use 'visto que' or 'já que'.
Using the indicative mood after these connectors.
Conquanto ele é inteligente, não passou no teste.Conquanto ele seja inteligente, não passou no teste.Concessive conjunctions like 'conquanto' require the subjunctive mood in standard grammar.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'posto que' and 'conquanto', a learner must first be comfortable with the Subjunctive mood and the general concept of concessive clauses (usually first learned via 'embora'). These are higher-level, literary alternatives to everyday connectors.
- embora + SubjunctiveEmbora (Although)
This pattern introduces the basic concept of concessive clauses using the subjunctive, which 'posto que' and 'conquanto' replace in formal or archaic registers.
Level 5 - queRelative Pronoun Que
The connector 'posto que' is a compound conjunction built on the particle 'que', which is fundamental to understanding Portuguese subordinating structures.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- ainda que/mesmo que + SubjunctiveConcessive Ainda Que/Mesmo Que
Other common concessive connectors that also trigger the subjunctive.
Level 4 - visto queCausal Visto Que
A causal connector often confused with 'posto que' by native speakers.
Level 4 - no entanto/contudo/todaviaHowever/Nevertheless
Adversative connectors that show contrast but are used in independent clauses rather than subordinate ones.
Level 5 - por mais que + SubjunctiveHowever Much (Concessive)
A related concessive structure used to emphasize the intensity of the obstacle.
Level 5 - uma vez queCausal Uma Vez Que
A causal connector similar to 'porquanto', which is frequently confused with the concessive 'conquanto'.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice posto que/conquanto + Subjunctive in Bubblegum
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