por mais que + Subjunctive

However Much (Concessive)

Level 5

Use por mais que to express that even a high degree of effort or intensity won't change a result. It is the Portuguese equivalent of 'no matter how much' or 'however much.'

How It Works

The structure por mais que is highly versatile and can be used with verbs, adjectives, or nouns to emphasize intensity.

1. Tense Flexibility:
While often used in the present, it also triggers the imperfect subjunctive for past or hypothetical situations (e.g., Por mais que ele tentasse...).

2. With Adjectives or Adverbs:
Structure: Por mais + [Adjective] + que + subjunctive.
Note: In formal registers, 'mais' can be omitted: Por difícil que seja...

3. With Nouns:
Structure: Por mais + [Noun] + que + subjunctive.
Crucially, mais is invariable; it never changes for gender or number (e.g., por mais moedas, not por maisas).

4. Variations:
The opposite, por menos que, follows the same rules. In Portugal, por muito que is common, but unlike 'mais', muito must agree with the noun (e.g., Por muitas queixas que faças...).

Examples (5)

  1. Por mais que eu tente, não consigo me lembrar do nome dela.

    No matter how much I try, I can't remember her name.

    Word by Word: For more that I try (subj.), not I-can me to-remember of-the name of-her.

    Here, 'tente' is in the present subjunctive because 'por mais que' acts as a mandatory trigger for this mood.

  2. Por mais inteligente que ele seja, comete erros básicos.

    However intelligent he may be, he makes basic mistakes.

    Word by Word: For more intelligent that he be (subj.), he-commits errors basic.

    Notice the adjective 'inteligente' is placed between 'mais' and 'que'.

  3. Por mais pressa que tivéssemos, o trem já tinha partido.

    No matter how much of a hurry we were in, the train had already left.

    Word by Word: For more hurry that we-had (subj. imp.), the train already had left.

    This example uses the imperfect subjunctive (tivéssemos) to show the pattern works in past contexts.

  4. Por difícil que seja, temos de continuar.

    However difficult it may be, we have to continue.

    Word by Word: For difficult that it-be (subj.), we-have of to-continue.

    In formal or literary Portuguese, the word 'mais' can be omitted before an adjective.

  5. Por mais moedas que ele tenha, nunca está satisfeito.

    No matter how many coins he has, he is never satisfied.

    Word by Word: For more coins that he has (subj.), never he-is satisfied.

    Note that 'mais' is invariable and does not change to match the plural feminine noun 'moedas'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive.

    Por mais que eu tento, não funciona.
    Por mais que eu tente, não funciona.

    Even if the action is a 'fact' (you really are trying), the grammar of 'por mais que' requires the subjunctive mood.

  • Incorrect word order when using adjectives.

    Por mais que difícil seja o exame...
    Por mais difícil que seja o exame...

    When emphasizing a quality, the adjective must come immediately after 'mais' and before 'que'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

por mais que + SubjunctiveLevel 5However Much (Concessive)

Learn This First

To learn 'por mais que + subjuntivo', you need to be comfortable with the present subjunctive conjugation, as this mood is triggered by the concessive nature of the expression. Additionally, familiarity with basic concessive structures (like 'embora') and the preposition 'por' provides the necessary grammatical foundation.

Words in This Pattern

por mais que