fosse/fosses/fosse/fôssemos/fossem
Imperfeito Do Subjuntivo De Ser/Ir
The forms fosse, fosses, fosse, fôssemos, fossem serve as the past subjunctive for both ser (to be) and ir (to go). They are essential for 'if' clauses and polite requests.
How It Works
The Imperfeito do Subjuntivo is one of the most versatile tenses in Portuguese. It is triggered by specific conditions:
- Hypotheticals (Counterfactuals): Used with 'se' (if) to describe things that aren't true right now.
Example: Se eu fosse rico... (If I were rich...). - Past Subordination: When a main verb in the past expresses a wish, doubt, or command.
Example: Ele queria que eu fosse. (He wanted me to go). - Politeness: In specific fixed conditional structures, it can soften a request.
Example: Se fosse possível... (If it were possible...).
Morphology Note: These forms are derived from the 3rd person plural of the Pretérito Perfeito (foram). By removing -ram and adding -sse, we get the subjunctive. The full paradigm is: fosse, fosses, fosse, fôssemos, fôsseis, fossem. Note the mandatory circumflex accent on the nós and vós forms. While fôsseis is rare in speech, it remains common in literature and formal European Portuguese.
Examples (5)
- Se eu fosse você, aceitaria o convite.
If I were you, I would accept the invitation.
Word by Word: If I were you, [I] would-accept the invitation.
Here, 'fosse' comes from 'ser' (to be) and sets up a hypothetical condition.
- O médico sugeriu que ela fosse ao hospital.
The doctor suggested that she go to the hospital.
Word by Word: The doctor suggested that she went to-the hospital.
In this case, 'fosse' comes from 'ir' (to go). The past verb 'sugeriu' triggers the imperfect subjunctive.
- Eu gostaria que o dia fosse mais longo.
I would like the day to be longer.
Word by Word: I would-like that the day were more long.
Used with the conditional 'gostaria' to express a wish about a current state.
- Nós queríamos que vocês fossem conosco.
We wanted you all to go with us.
Word by Word: We wanted that you-all went with-us.
Demonstrates the third-person plural form 'fossem' (from 'ir') triggered by a past desire.
- Se nós fôssemos mais novos, viajaríamos o mundo.
If we were younger, we would travel the world.
Word by Word: If we were more young, [we] would-travel the world.
Shows the 'nós' form with the required circumflex accent.
Common Mistakes
Using the indicative 'era' instead of the subjunctive 'fosse' in 'if' clauses.
Se eu era você, não fazia isso.Se eu fosse você, não faria isso.'Era' describes a past reality or habit. For a hypothetical 'if' scenario, 'fosse' is grammatically required.
Omitting the circumflex accent on the 'nós' form.
Se nos fossemos embora agora...Se nós fôssemos embora agora...The form 'fôssemos' always requires the circumflex accent on the first 'o' to indicate the closed vowel sound and correct spelling.
Tense mismatch: using the present subjunctive after a past main verb.
Ele pediu que eu vá.Ele pediu que eu fosse.If the main verb is in the past (pediu), the subordinate verb must also be in a past tense (fosse), not the present (vá).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the forms 'fosse', 'fosses', etc., you first need to know that the verbs 'ser' (to be) and 'ir' (to go) share identical forms in the past tenses. You also need to understand how the imperfect subjunctive is built using the stem from the Pretérito Perfeito (foram) and adding the characteristic subjunctive endings.
- fui/foste/foi/fomos/foramPretérito Perfeito De Ser/Ir
The imperfect subjunctive stem in Portuguese is derived from the third-person plural of the Pretérito Perfeito (foram -> fos-). Understanding that 'ser' and 'ir' share these forms in the past is essential.
Level 2 - seja/sejas/seja/sejamos/sejamSubjuntivo De Ser
Familiarity with the present subjunctive of 'ser' introduces the learner to the concept of mood and the irregular nature of this verb.
Level 3 - -esse/-esses/-esse/-êssemos/-êsseis/-essemImperfeito Do Subjuntivo -ER
This pattern provides the regular endings for the imperfect subjunctive of -ER verbs, which 'fosse' follows once the irregular stem is identified.
Level 4
Related Patterns
- se + Imperfect Subjunctive + ConditionalCondição Irreal (Presente)
This is the primary sentence structure where 'fosse' is used to create hypothetical scenarios.
Level 4 - como se + Imperfect SubjunctiveComo Se (As if)
A common conjunction that always triggers the imperfect subjunctive to describe imaginary comparisons.
Level 4 - for/fores/for/formos/foremFuturo Do Subjuntivo De Ser/Ir
The future subjunctive of ser/ir, used for possible future conditions rather than counterfactual ones.
Level 4 - Sequence of Tenses (Past)
The rules governing why a past main verb requires the use of 'fosse' instead of 'seja'.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice fosse/fosses/fosse/fôssemos/fossem in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Portuguese lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
