seja o que for/aconteça o que acontecer
Futuro Do Subjuntivo Em Expressões Fixas
Use the pattern [Present Subjunctive] + [Relative Pronoun] + [Future Subjunctive] to express unconditional determination or indifference toward a future outcome.
How It Works
This structure is often called a 'concessive of indefinite value.' It creates a sense of 'come what may' or 'no matter what.'
1. The Formula:
The expression follows a strict symmetry: Verb (Pres. Subj.) + Relative + Same Verb (Fut. Subj.).
- Seja (Pres.) + o que + for (Fut. of ser) = Whatever it may be.
- Aconteça (Pres.) + o que + acontecer (Fut.) = Whatever happens.
- Venha (Pres.) + o que + vier (Fut. of vir) = Come what may.
2. Expanding the Pattern:
While o que is most common, the pattern works with other question words and relative pronouns:
- Vá aonde for (Go wherever it may be).
- Faça como fizer (Do it however you do it).
- Haja o que houver (Whatever may happen/come what may).
- Doa a quem doer (No matter who it hurts).
3. Register and Usage:
While the Futuro do Subjuntivo Regular is sometimes substituted by the present tense in informal Brazilian speech, these specific expressions are crystallized. They are extremely stable and common in everyday speech across all Lusophone countries.
4. Morphological Note:
For regular verbs, the Future Subjunctive looks identical to the Personal Infinitive. However, for irregular verbs like ser (for) or vir (vier), the distinction is clear and mandatory because the Future Subjunctive is derived from the preterite stem.
Examples (5)
- Aconteça o que acontecer, eu estarei ao seu lado.
Whatever happens, I will be by your side.
Word by Word: Happen what happens, I will be at your side.
Uses the verb 'acontecer' in the Present Subjunctive then the Future Subjunctive to show total commitment regardless of future events.
- Eu vou comprar aquela casa, custe o que custar.
I am going to buy that house, whatever the cost / no matter what it costs.
Word by Word: I go to buy that house, cost what it costs.
A very common expression used to show extreme determination.
- Seja o que for que ele decidir, nós o apoiaremos.
Whatever it is that he decides, we will support him.
Word by Word: Be what it be that he decides, we him will support.
Here, 'seja o que for' acts as a standalone concessive phrase meaning 'regardless of the nature of the decision'.
- Diga ele o que disser, eu não mudo de ideia.
No matter what he says, I'm not changing my mind.
Word by Word: Say he what he says, I not change of idea.
Uses the irregular future subjunctive 'disser' to show indifference to someone else's opinion.
- Seja quem for que bater à porta, não abra.
Whoever it is that knocks on the door, don't open it.
Word by Word: Be who it be that knocks at the door, not open.
A variation using 'quem' (who) instead of 'o que' (what) to refer to people.
Common Mistakes
Using the Present Subjunctive twice (Spanish interference).
Seja o que seja.Seja o que for.In Spanish, 'sea lo que sea' is correct. In Portuguese, the second verb MUST be in the Future Subjunctive.
Using the Future Indicative for the second verb.
Aconteça o que acontecerá.Aconteça o que acontecer.Even though we are talking about the future, this specific fixed construction requires the Subjunctive mood in both slots.
Using the wrong irregular stem for the Future Subjunctive.
Venha o que vir.Venha o que vier.'Vir' is the infinitive; 'vier' is the Future Subjunctive stem for the verb 'vir' (to come). 'Vir' is actually the Future Subjunctive of 'ver' (to see)!
Related Patterns
- for/fores/for/formos/foremFuturo Do Subjuntivo De Ser/Ir
This is the Future Subjunctive of 'ser', which is the most common verb used in this 'sandwich' pattern.
Level 4 - tiver/fizer/puder/quiser/souber/disser/vierFuturo Do Subjuntivo Irregular Comum
These are the irregular Future Subjunctive stems needed to form these expressions with other common verbs like 'dizer' or 'vir'.
Level 4 - seja/sejas/seja/sejamos/sejamSubjuntivo De Ser
This is the Present Subjunctive of 'ser', which forms the first half of the 'seja o que for' expression.
Level 3 - embora + SubjunctiveEmbora (Although)
Both are concessive structures, but 'embora' is used for specific known obstacles, while this pattern is for indefinite/unknown future outcomes.
Level 5 - seja quem for/seja o que forWhoever/Whatever It May Be
This is the specific pattern being discussed, often used as a pronoun-like phrase meaning 'whoever' or 'whatever'.
Level 6
Words in This Pattern
Practice seja o que for/aconteça o que acontecer in Bubblegum
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