-isse/-isses/-isse/-íssemos/-ísseis/-issem
Imperfeito Do Subjuntivo -IR
The Imperfeito do Subjuntivo for -IR verbs (like partir) is the 'if' tense. It creates hypothetical scenarios ('If I left...') or follows past-tense verbs of desire or doubt ('He wanted me to leave').
How It Works
The Imperfeito do Subjuntivo (Imperfect Subjunctive) is essential for expressing distance from reality. Despite its name, it often refers to the present or future in hypothetical contexts.
1. Formation:
Always look at the Pretérito Perfeito 'they' form first. For -IR verbs:
- Partir (to leave) → Partiram → Partisse
- Dormir (to sleep) → Dormiram → Dormisse
- Subir (to go up) → Subiram → Subisse
2. Key Uses:
- Hypotheticals: Usually paired with the Conditional. Example: 'Se eu partisse agora, chegaria cedo' (If I left now, I would arrive early).
- Past Triggers: When the main verb is in the past (Imperfect or Preterite), the subordinate clause uses this tense. Example: 'Eu queria que ele dormisse' (I wanted him to sleep).
- Politeness: Especially in European Portuguese, it softens requests.
3. Irregulars:
Because it stems from the Preterite, irregular verbs follow their Preterite stems. For example, Vir (to come) becomes viesse because the Preterite is vieram.
Examples (4)
- Se eles dormissem mais, não estariam tão cansados.
If they slept more, they wouldn't be so tired.
Word by Word: If they slept more, not they-would-be so tired.
A classic hypothetical 'if' clause using the verb 'dormir'.
- Eu pedi que você pedisse desculpas.
I asked that you apologize.
Word by Word: I asked that you asked-for apologies.
The past trigger 'pedi' (I asked) forces the use of the imperfect subjunctive 'pedisse'.
- Se nós partíssemos hoje, seria melhor.
If we left today, it would be better.
Word by Word: If we left today, it-would-be better.
Note the written accent on the 'nós' form (partíssemos) to maintain correct stress.
- Ela não queria que eu saísse sozinha.
She didn't want me to go out alone.
Word by Word: She not wanted that I went-out alone.
The verb 'sair' (to go out) changes to 'saísse' following the past desire 'não queria'.
Common Mistakes
Using the Indicative after 'Se' for hypotheticals.
Se eu tinha dinheiro, eu comprava o carro.Se eu tivesse dinheiro, eu compraria o carro.In English, we say 'If I had', but in Portuguese, a hypothetical 'if' requires the Subjunctive, not the Indicative 'tinha'.
Confusing the Imperfect Subjunctive with the Future Subjunctive.
Se eu partir agora, eu chegaria cedo.Se eu partisse agora, eu chegaria cedo.Use 'partisse' (Imperfect) for unlikely/imaginary scenarios. Use 'partir' (Future Subjunctive) for likely future possibilities.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the imperfect subjunctive for -IR verbs, you must first be comfortable with regular -IR verb stems and the Pretérito Perfeito, as the latter provides the base for the subjunctive stem. Familiarity with the -AR or -ER imperfect subjunctive patterns is also helpful as they share the same functional logic and similar ending patterns.
- -i/-iste/-iu/-imos/-istes/-iramPretérito Perfeito -IR Verbs
The imperfect subjunctive stem is derived from the third-person plural of the Pretérito Perfeito (e.g., 'partiram' becomes 'partisse').
Level 2 - -asse/-asses/-asse/-ássemos/-ásseis/-assemImperfeito Do Subjuntivo -AR
Learning the -AR version of the imperfect subjunctive first establishes the conceptual framework for how this tense functions and how its endings are structured.
Level 4
Related Patterns
- -esse/-esses/-esse/-êssemos/-êsseis/-essemImperfeito Do Subjuntivo -ER
This is the equivalent tense for -ER verbs.
Level 4 - se + Imperfect Subjunctive + ConditionalCondição Irreal (Presente)
This pattern explains how to combine this tense with the conditional to form complete 'if... then...' sentences.
Level 4 - Sequence of Tenses (Past)
Explains why a past-tense main verb triggers the imperfect subjunctive in the second part of the sentence.
Level 5 - -ia/-ias/-ia/-íamos/-íeis/-iam (condicional)Futuro Do Pretérito Regular
The conditional is the 'partner' tense usually found in the result clause of a hypothetical 'if' sentence.
Level 3 - tivesse/fizesse/pudesse/quisesse/soubesse/dissesseImperfeito Do Subjuntivo Irregular Comum
Covers the irregular verbs that follow the same -sse ending pattern but with modified stems.
Level 4
Practice -isse/-isses/-isse/-íssemos/-ísseis/-issem in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Portuguese lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
