quando + Future Subjunctive

Quando (Futuro Do Subjuntivo)

Level 4

The futuro do subjuntivo (future subjunctive) is used after quando (when) to describe a future event that is expected or possible, but hasn't happened yet. It sets the stage for another action.

How It Works

The future subjunctive is a distinctive feature of Portuguese. While it exists in Galician and as an archaic form in Spanish legal texts, Portuguese is the only major Romance language where it remains essential for everyday spoken communication. It is used in temporal clauses to indicate a potential future action.

1. Formation:
To form the future subjunctive, take the 3rd person plural of the Pretérito Perfeito (e.g., falaram), drop the -ram, and add the following endings: -r, -res, -r, -rmos, -rdes, -rem.

  • Regular verbs: falar (eu falar, tu falares, ele falar...)
  • Irregular verbs: ter → tiveram → tiver; fazer → fizeram → fizer.

2. Usage with 'Quando':
When you use quando to refer to a specific future moment that has not happened yet, you must use this tense. If you use the present indicative instead, you are usually talking about a habit (e.g., 'When I arrive [every day], I eat').

3. Future Subjunctive vs. Personal Infinitive:
For regular verbs, the future subjunctive looks identical to the Personal Infinitive. The difference lies in the trigger: the future subjunctive is triggered by conjunctions like quando or se, while the personal infinitive is triggered by prepositions like para or depois de.

4. Regional Differences:
In European Portuguese, this tense is strictly mandatory. In informal Brazilian Portuguese, speakers sometimes substitute it with the present indicative in very casual settings, but the future subjunctive remains the standard for writing and formal speech.

Examples (5)

  1. Quando você chegar em casa, me ligue.

    When you get home, call me.

    Word by Word: When you arrive in house, me call.

    The arrival hasn't happened yet, so 'chegar' is in the future subjunctive.

  2. Eu te aviso quando eu tiver os resultados.

    I will let you know when I have the results.

    Word by Word: I you advise when I have the results.

    Uses the irregular future subjunctive 'tiver' (from 'ter') because the results are expected in the future.

  3. Quando eles virem o filme, vão adorar.

    When they see the movie, they are going to love it.

    Word by Word: When they see the movie, they go to love.

    Note that 'virem' is the future subjunctive of 'ver' (to see), not 'vir' (to come).

  4. Quando nós formos a Portugal, visitaremos Lisboa.

    When we go to Portugal, we will visit Lisbon.

    Word by Word: When we go to Portugal, we will visit Lisbon.

    'Formos' is the future subjunctive of 'ir' (to go).

  5. Telefona-me quando tu chegares.

    Call me when you arrive.

    Word by Word: Call-me when thou arrivest.

    An example of European Portuguese using the 'tu' form 'chegares'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the infinitive instead of the irregular future subjunctive stem.

    Quando eu fazer o jantar, eu te chamo.
    Quando eu fizer o jantar, eu te chamo.

    For regular verbs, the future subjunctive looks like the infinitive, but for irregular verbs like 'fazer', you must use the correct stem ('fizer').

  • Using the future indicative after 'quando'.

    Quando eu falarei com ele, direi a verdade.
    Quando eu falar com ele, direi a verdade.

    English speakers often try to use the future indicative ('will speak'), but Portuguese requires the subjunctive after temporal conjunctions like 'quando'.

  • Confusing 'ver' (to see) and 'vir' (to come) in the future subjunctive.

    Quando ele vir aqui, nós conversamos.
    Quando ele vier aqui, nós conversamos.

    The future subjunctive of 'ver' is 'vir', and the future subjunctive of 'vir' is 'vier'. This is a very common point of confusion.

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quando + Future SubjunctiveLevel 4Quando (Futuro Do Subjuntivo)

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