Subjuntivo em Declínio na Fala

Level 6

In casual Brazilian Portuguese, the subjunctive mood (used for doubt/desire) is often replaced by the indicative mood (used for facts). While not 'correct' in formal writing, it is extremely common in daily conversation.

How It Works

This sociolinguistic phenomenon is particularly prevalent in Brazil. It represents a shift where the morphological marking on the verb becomes redundant in speech, though it remains vital for those who wish to become proficient in formal registers.

Key Triggers for Erosion:

  • Uncertainty/Desire with 'que': The most common trigger for this erosion is the conjunction 'que' after verbs like querer or esperar, and even with expressions like tomara que, which frequently see subjunctive dropping in informal speech. Colloquial: 'Espero que ele vem' (I hope he comes) vs. Formal: 'Espero que ele venha'.
  • Adverbs of Doubt: Words like talvez (perhaps) frequently trigger this erosion. Colloquial: 'Talvez ele vai' vs. Formal: 'Talvez ele vá'.
  • Conjunctions: After embora (although). Colloquial: 'Embora ele está aqui...' (Although he is here...) vs. Formal: 'Embora ele esteja aqui...'.
  • Negative Commands: Instead of using the subjunctive for negative imperatives, colloquial Brazilian Portuguese often reuses the affirmative command form (usually the tu form) and simply places a 'não' in front of it. Colloquial: 'Não fala com ele' (Don't talk to him) vs. Formal: 'Não fale com ele'.
  • Relative Clauses: Using the indicative with non-specific antecedents. Colloquial: 'Procuro alguém que fala inglês' (I'm looking for someone who speaks English) vs. Formal: 'Procuro alguém que fale inglês'.
  • Future Subjunctive: The future subjunctive is widely eroded for irregular verbs, where speakers frequently substitute it with the personal infinitive (e.g., saying se eu ver instead of se eu vir).

Social Stigma and Register:
It is crucial for learners to understand that not all subjunctive erosion is viewed equally. Dropping the present subjunctive (e.g., 'espero que ele vem' or 'tomara que ele vem') or replacing the imperfect subjunctive with the imperfect indicative (e.g., 'Se eu podia' instead of 'Se eu pudesse') carries a strong social stigma, and learners are advised to avoid copying these patterns. Conversely, using the affirmative command for negative imperatives ('não fala') or replacing irregular future subjunctives with the personal infinitive ('se eu ver') are widely accepted and used even by highly educated speakers in informal contexts. Furthermore, in the main clause of hypothetical statements, replacing the conditional with the imperfect indicative is standard in spoken Brazilian Portuguese (e.g., 'Se eu pudesse, eu ia' instead of '...eu iria').

Morphological Factors:
Rather than phonologically dropping sounds in fast speech, speakers often substitute the entire subjunctive paradigm with the indicative paradigm (morphological leveling).

Formal Contexts:
In exams like the Celpe-Bras or academic writing, using the indicative where the subjunctive is required is considered a grammatical error.

Examples (6)

  1. Talvez ele chega mais tarde hoje.

    Maybe he arrives/will arrive later today.

    Word by Word: Maybe he arrives more late today.

    In formal Portuguese, 'chegue' (subjuntivo) would be used after 'talvez'. Here, the speaker uses the indicative 'chega'.

  2. Não faz isso comigo!

    Don't do that to me!

    Word by Word: Not do that with me!

    In formal Portuguese, negative commands require the subjunctive ('Não faça'). In colloquial Brazilian speech, the indicative ('faz') is frequently used instead.

  3. Embora ele está doente, ele foi trabalhar.

    Although he is sick, he went to work.

    Word by Word: Although he is sick, he went to work.

    The conjunction 'embora' normally requires the subjunctive 'esteja', but the indicative 'está' is common in speech.

  4. Espero que você gosta do presente.

    I hope you like the gift.

    Word by Word: I hope that you like of the gift.

    A classic example of erosion where 'gosta' (indicative) replaces 'goste' (subjunctive) after a verb of wishing.

  5. Se eu ter tempo, eu te ligo.

    If I have time, I'll call you.

    Word by Word: If I to have time, I you call.

    Here, the speaker uses the infinitive 'ter' instead of the irregular future subjunctive 'tiver'. This is very common in low-monitoring speech.

  6. Se eu sabia que você vinha, eu fazia um bolo.

    If I knew you were coming, I would have made a cake.

    Word by Word: If I knew that you came, I made a cake.

    In colloquial speech, the imperfect indicative 'sabia' replaces the imperfect subjunctive 'soubesse' in the 'if' clause.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indicative in formal writing or proficiency exams.

    Espero que ele vem logo.
    Espero que ele venha logo.

    While 'vem' is common in casual conversation, formal contexts require the subjunctive 'venha'. Using the indicative in writing is often perceived as a lack of formal education.

  • Using the infinitive instead of the future subjunctive for the verb 'ver' (to see).

    Se eu ver ele amanhã, eu aviso.
    Se eu vir ele amanhã, eu aviso.

    A very common error in Brazil is using the infinitive 'ver' in conditional clauses. The correct future subjunctive form is 'vir'. Note that 'vir' is also the infinitive of 'to come', which adds to the confusion.

  • Using the past tense 'vim' instead of the future subjunctive 'vier' (to come).

    Se eu vim amanhã, eu trago o livro.
    Se eu vier amanhã, eu trago o livro.

    For the verb 'vir' (to come), speakers often use the preterit 'vim' or the infinitive 'vir' incorrectly in 'se' clauses. The correct form is 'vier'.

How It Connects

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

Subjuntivo em Declínio na FalaLevel 6

Learn This First

To understand the erosion of the subjunctive in speech, a learner must first be familiar with the standard present subjunctive forms and the common triggers (like verbs of desire or impersonal expressions) that normally require its use.