esperar que + Subjunctive

Subjuntivo Com Esperança

Level 3

The pattern esperar que + subjuntivo is the standard way to say 'I hope that...' or 'I expect that...' in Portuguese. It requires the subjunctive mood because it describes a desire or a projection rather than a confirmed fact.

How It Works

This pattern is a fundamental 'trigger' for the subjunctive mood. Here is how to use it correctly:

  • Subject Change: You only use que + subjunctive when the subject of the main verb (the person hoping) is different from the subject of the second verb. If you are hoping for yourself, you use the infinitive (e.g., 'Espero viajar' vs 'Espero que você viaje'). In informal Brazilian Portuguese, you may hear the infinitive used even with a subject change (e.g., 'Espero você chegar'), but the subjunctive is the standard form.
  • Tense Harmony: The tense of the subjunctive must match the timeframe of the hope. If you hope for something now or in the future, use the Present Subjunctive. If you were hoping in the past, use the Imperfect Subjunctive. If you are hoping now about a past event, use the Pretérito Perfeito do Subjuntivo (e.g., 'Espero que você tenha tido um bom dia').
  • No Future Subjunctive: Even when hoping for a future event, the Futuro do Subjuntivo is not used with esperar que. The Present Subjunctive covers both present and future desires.
  • Hope vs. Expectation: While English distinguishes between 'hope' (desire) and 'expect' (anticipation), Portuguese uses esperar for both. The meaning is usually clear from the context.

Examples (4)

  1. Espero que tudo dê certo na sua viagem.

    I hope everything works out on your trip.

    Word by Word: I-hope that everything give right in-the your trip.

    Uses the present subjunctive 'dê' (from dar) because the speaker is expressing a current hope for a future event.

  2. Nós esperávamos que o governo tomasse uma decisão.

    We were expecting the government to take a decision.

    Word by Word: We were-expecting that the government took a decision.

    Uses the imperfect subjunctive 'tomasse' because the main verb 'esperávamos' is in the past.

  3. Espero que você esteja bem.

    I hope you are well.

    Word by Word: I-hope that you be well.

    A very common greeting. 'Esteja' is the subjunctive form of 'estar'.

  4. Esperemos que eles não se esqueçam do compromisso.

    Let's hope they don't forget the appointment.

    Word by Word: Let's-hope that they not themselves forget of-the appointment.

    'Esperemos' acts as a collective suggestion (let's hope), still triggering the subjunctive 'esqueçam'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive.

    Espero que você está feliz.
    Espero que você esteja feliz.

    In English, we say 'I hope you ARE' (indicative), but in Portuguese, hope triggers the subjunctive 'esteja' because the state is a desire, not a stated fact.

  • Using 'que' when the subject is the same.

    Eu espero que eu viaje amanhã.
    Espero viajar amanhã.

    If the person hoping and the person traveling are the same, use the infinitive directly. Using 'que' with the same subject sounds redundant and unnatural.

How It Connects

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

esperar que + SubjunctiveLevel 3Subjuntivo Com Esperança

Learn This First

To use 'esperar que' correctly, you must first know how to conjugate verbs in the Present Subjunctive. Additionally, understanding the general rule for verbs of desire (like 'querer que') provides the logical framework for why 'esperar' triggers the subjunctive mood.

Words in This Pattern

esperar