The choice between indicative and subjunctive in Portuguese is driven overwhelmingly by the conjunction that introduces the subordinate clause. Learn which conjunctions belong to which camp and you have solved about 70% of mood selection in Portuguese. The remaining 30% is the small but decisive group of variable conjunctions that pick their mood based on whether the situation is real / factual or hypothetical / future. PT-PT adds one extra twist the Spanish-speaking world does not have: the future subjunctive (futuro do conjuntivo), which shows up vigorously after se, quando, enquanto, assim que and friends when the event is still to come.
This is a reference page. Keep it bookmarked — and once you have internalised the three tables below, you will be able to conjugate correctly after any conjunction you encounter.
The master table
| Group | Conjunction | Meaning | Triggers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always subjunctive | embora | although | subjunctive |
| ainda que | even though | subjunctive | |
| mesmo que | even if | subjunctive | |
| por mais que / por muito que | however much | subjunctive | |
| sem que | without (doing) | subjunctive | |
| antes que | before (unrealised) | subjunctive | |
| para que / a fim de que | so that, in order that | subjunctive | |
| a não ser que / a menos que | unless | subjunctive | |
| caso | in case, if | subjunctive | |
| contanto que | provided that | subjunctive | |
| desde que (provided that) | provided that | subjunctive | |
| nem que | even if | subjunctive | |
| até que | until | subjunctive (typically) | |
| Always indicative | porque | because | indicative |
| visto que | seeing that | indicative | |
| já que | since (given that) | indicative | |
| uma vez que | given that | indicative | |
| dado que | given that | indicative | |
| como (causal) | since | indicative | |
| enquanto (durative) | while (ongoing) | indicative | |
| logo / portanto / assim / por isso | therefore, so | indicative | |
| mas / porém / contudo / todavia | but, however | indicative | |
| conforme | as, according to | indicative | |
| à medida que | as (gradually) | indicative | |
| Variable | se | if | future subjunctive (future) / imperfect or pluperfect subjunctive (counterfactual) / indicative (habitual, real) |
| quando | when | future subjunctive (future) / indicative (past, habitual) | |
| enquanto (future) | while, as long as | future subjunctive (future) / indicative (past, habitual) | |
| assim que / logo que / mal | as soon as | future subjunctive (future) / indicative (past, habitual) | |
| depois que | after | indicative (factual past) / subjunctive (unrealised) | |
| de modo que / de maneira que | so that | indicative (result) / subjunctive (purpose) |
Always-subjunctive conjunctions
These conjunctions mark the subordinate clause as unasserted: a concession, a purpose, a condition, or an action that has not actually taken place. The rule is mechanical — whenever you see one, the verb that follows goes in the subjunctive.
Embora (although) — prototype of the concessive
Embora esteja a chover, vamos dar um passeio.
Although it's raining, we're going for a walk.
Embora tenha estudado muito, não passei no exame.
Although I studied a lot, I didn't pass the exam.
Para que / a fim de que (so that) — purpose
Deixei-te o jantar no forno para que o comas ao chegares.
I left your dinner in the oven so you can eat it when you get home.
A fim de que todos possam participar, a reunião será à distância.
So that everyone can take part, the meeting will be held remotely.
Sem que (without) — unrealised accompanying action
Antes que (before) — the event has not yet happened
Vamos sair antes que comece a chover.
Let's leave before it starts to rain.
A não ser que / a menos que (unless) — excluding condition
Caso (in case, if) — hypothetical condition
Caso precises de mim, liga-me.
If you need me, call me.
Caso chova amanhã, cancelamos o almoço.
If it rains tomorrow, we'll cancel the lunch.
Caso always takes the subjunctive, which is one reason PT-PT speakers like it — it avoids the tricky choice between indicative and future subjunctive that se creates.
Nem que (even if) — extreme hypothetical
Nem que me pagassem, eu não ia a esse sítio.
Even if they paid me, I wouldn't go to that place.
Always-indicative conjunctions
These conjunctions introduce clauses the speaker is asserting as true: stated reasons, stated results, stated contrasts, ongoing actions. The verb stays in the indicative.
Porque / visto que / já que / uma vez que — causal
Não fui porque estava cansado.
I didn't go because I was tired.
Já que estás aqui, ajuda-me.
Since you're here, help me.
Visto que o prazo acabou, não podemos aceitar a candidatura.
Seeing that the deadline has passed, we can't accept the application.
Como (causal, clause-initial)
Como chovia muito, ficámos em casa.
As it was raining a lot, we stayed home.
Mas / porém / contudo / todavia — adversative
Queria ir, mas não tenho tempo.
I wanted to go, but I don't have time.
É uma cidade pequena; contudo, tem muita vida cultural.
It's a small city; however, it has a lively cultural scene.
Logo / portanto / por isso — conclusive
Está a chover; portanto, vamos levar o guarda-chuva.
It's raining; therefore, we'll take the umbrella.
Enquanto (durative) — while, during
Ele cozinhava enquanto eu punha a mesa.
He cooked while I set the table.
Conforme — as (in accordance with)
Conforme foi dito na reunião, o projeto vai ser adiado.
As was said at the meeting, the project will be postponed.
The variable conjunctions — this is where PT-PT gets interesting
Six conjunctions swing between moods depending on whether the clause describes something real / known or future / hypothetical. This is where the future subjunctive (futuro do conjuntivo) shines: PT-PT uses it robustly, unlike modern Spanish, where it has largely fossilised.
Se — if
| Meaning | Mood | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Likely future condition | future subjunctive | Se chover, fico em casa. |
| Counterfactual (present) | imperfect subjunctive | Se tivesse dinheiro, viajava. |
| Counterfactual (past) | pluperfect subjunctive | Se tivesses estudado, terias passado. |
| Real / habitual present | indicative | Se chove, levo o guarda-chuva. |
| Reported / embedded question | indicative | Não sei se vem. |
Se chover amanhã, ficamos em casa.
If it rains tomorrow, we'll stay home. (future subj. *chover*)
Se tivesse tempo, ia contigo.
If I had time, I'd go with you. (imperfect subj. — counterfactual, present)
Se tivesses avisado, teríamos ido.
If you had told us, we would have gone. (pluperfect subj. — counterfactual, past)
Se me perguntas, eu digo a verdade.
If you ask me, I tell the truth. (indicative — habitual)
Não sei se ele vem hoje.
I don't know if he's coming today. (indicative — embedded question)
Quando — when
PT-PT makes a crisp cut: future events take the future subjunctive, past and habitual events take the indicative.
Quando chegares a Lisboa, avisa-me.
When you get to Lisbon, let me know. (future subj. *chegares*)
Quando era criança, vivia no Porto.
When I was a child, I lived in Porto. (imperfect indicative — habitual past)
Enquanto — while, as long as
Tricky because enquanto has two distinct meanings. In its durative reading (during the time that X is happening), it takes the indicative. In its future / as-long-as reading (while X remains true), it can take the future subjunctive.
Enquanto fazia o jantar, ele via televisão.
While I was making dinner, he watched TV. (indicative — durative past)
Enquanto houver esperança, continuo a lutar.
As long as there is hope, I'll keep fighting. (future subj. *houver*)
Enquanto estiveres em minha casa, respeitas as regras.
As long as you're in my house, you follow the rules. (future subj. *estiveres*)
Assim que / logo que / mal — as soon as
All three behave identically: future subjunctive for future events, indicative for past / habitual events.
Assim que terminares o trabalho, vai para casa.
As soon as you finish the work, go home. (future subj.)
Logo que souber, aviso-te.
As soon as I know, I'll tell you. (future subj. *souber*)
Mal cheguei, percebi que algo estava errado.
The moment I arrived, I realised something was wrong. (preterite indicative — past fact)
Assim que chegava a casa, ligava a televisão.
As soon as he got home, he'd turn on the TV. (imperfect — habitual past)
Depois que — after
Takes the indicative when the event is a past fact, but shifts to the future subjunctive when the event is still to happen:
Depois que ele saiu, ficámos todos em silêncio.
After he left, we all fell silent. (preterite indicative)
Depois que terminares, vamos almoçar.
After you finish, we'll go for lunch. (future subj.)
Até que — until
Classically takes the subjunctive — the event after até has not yet happened from the viewpoint of the main clause:
Espera aqui até que eu volte.
Wait here until I come back. (present subj.)
Esperámos até que parasse de chover.
We waited until it stopped raining. (imperfect subj.)
Some modern grammars accept indicative with até que when the stopping event actually occurred and is being reported as a fact (Esperámos até que parou de chover). Both are heard in PT-PT; the subjunctive remains the safer, more traditional choice.
De modo que / de maneira que — "so that"
These are the slippery twins. With indicative, they mean "with the result that" — a result clause. With subjunctive, they mean "in such a way that" / "so that" — a purpose clause.
Falou baixo, de modo que ninguém ouviu.
He spoke softly, so nobody heard. (indicative — result)
Fala baixo, de modo que ninguém ouça.
Speak softly, so that nobody hears. (subjunctive — purpose)
The difference is whether you are reporting an outcome (indicative) or intending one (subjunctive). The same verbs, the same conjunction, a completely different meaning.
Worked decision examples
1. _ possas terminar o trabalho, vou ajudar-te. — the para que relationship: purpose → subjunctive → Para que possas terminar…
2. Não vou contigo _ estou cansado. — stating a reason → indicative → porque estou cansado.
3. Se eu _ tempo amanhã, ligo-te. — future, realistic condition → future subjunctive → Se eu tiver tempo…
4. Embora ele _ rico, vive de forma modesta. — concession → subjunctive → Embora ele seja rico…
5. Quando eu _ à universidade, queria estudar medicina. — past habitual → indicative → Quando eu andava na universidade…
6. Quando _ na universidade, vais perceber. — future → future subjunctive → Quando andares na universidade…
7. Já que tu _, explica-me isto. — stated reason → indicative → Já que tu sabes…
8. Fala devagar, de modo que todos te _. — intended outcome → subjunctive → de modo que todos te oiçam.
PT-PT's signature feature: the future subjunctive
The futuro do conjuntivo is the PT-PT star of this page. After se, quando, enquanto, assim que, logo que, mal, depois que, conforme (when future-oriented), como (when future-oriented), sempre que (when future-oriented), the verb usually goes in the future subjunctive when the event lies in the future. For regular verbs, all six forms of the future subjunctive coincide exactly with the personal infinitive (falar, falares, falar, falarmos, falardes, falarem); for irregular verbs, it has distinctive forms (se for, quando tiver, se puder, se souber, se vier, se disser, se fizer).
Se puderes, traz pão.
If you can, bring some bread.
Quando vieres cá, avisa-me.
When you come here, let me know.
Faz como entenderes.
Do as you see fit. (future subjunctive *entenderes* after future-oriented *como*)
Spanish and French have abandoned the future subjunctive for the most part; PT-PT uses it every day. Mastering it is one of the most distinctively PT-PT moves a learner can make.
Common mistakes
❌ Embora ele é rico, vive modestamente.
Incorrect — *embora* always triggers the subjunctive.
✅ Embora ele seja rico, vive modestamente.
Although he is rich, he lives modestly.
❌ Quando chegas, avisa-me.
The second clause is a command about a future event; use the future subjunctive.
✅ Quando chegares, avisa-me.
When you arrive, let me know.
❌ Se eu tenho tempo amanhã, ligo-te.
For a future condition, PT-PT requires the future subjunctive, not the present indicative.
✅ Se eu tiver tempo amanhã, ligo-te.
If I have time tomorrow, I'll call you.
❌ Para que podes entender, vou explicar devagar.
*Para que* forces the subjunctive.
✅ Para que possas entender, vou explicar devagar.
So that you can understand, I'll explain slowly.
❌ Fiquei em casa porque estivesse doente.
Unnegated *porque* takes the indicative — the reason is being asserted as a fact.
✅ Fiquei em casa porque estava doente.
I stayed home because I was sick.
Key takeaways
- Mechanical rule: embora, ainda que, mesmo que, para que, sem que, antes que, caso, a não ser que, a menos que, nem que, contanto que — always subjunctive.
- Mechanical rule: porque, já que, visto que, uma vez que, dado que, como (causal), mas, porém, logo, conforme, à medida que — always indicative.
- Semantic rule: se, quando, enquanto, assim que, logo que, mal, depois que — future event → future subjunctive; past or habitual → indicative.
- Mood-sensitive pair: de modo que / de maneira que — indicative = result (what happened); subjunctive = purpose (what was intended).
- The future subjunctive is the standout feature of PT-PT mood selection — drill it until it is reflexive.
- When you encounter a new conjunction, ask: does this clause assert a fact, or does it describe an unasserted possibility, purpose, or future event? That question alone resolves most mood choices.
Related Topics
- Conjunctions OverviewA2 — Words that connect clauses and sentences in Portuguese — from simple *e* and *mas* to the formal *uma vez que* and *dado que*.
- Concessive Conjunctions (Embora, Ainda que, Mesmo que)B1 — Expressing concession and unexpected outcomes — *embora*, *ainda que*, *mesmo que*, *se bem que*, and the prepositional alternative *apesar de*, all with the subjunctive mood logic explained.
- Conditional Conjunctions (Se, Caso, Desde que, Contanto que)A2 — Expressing conditions — the four *se* patterns that English speakers must master, plus *caso*, *desde que*, *a não ser que*, and the full family of unless-clauses.
- Temporal Conjunctions (Quando, Logo que, Assim que, Enquanto)B1 — Expressing time relationships between events — and the signature PT-PT feature of the future subjunctive after *quando*, *logo que*, *assim que*, and *enquanto não*.
- Purpose Conjunctions (Para que, A fim de que)B1 — Expressing purpose and goals — when to use *para* + personal infinitive vs *para que* + subjunctive, plus the formal *a fim de que*, *com o intuito de*, and *com vista a*.
- Subjunctive Mood OverviewB1 — What the conjuntivo is in European Portuguese, why it exists, and when the language requires it — a tour of irrealis across the present, imperfect, and future subjunctive
- Future Subjunctive OverviewB1 — The futuro do conjuntivo — a living, everyday tense in European Portuguese that marks uncertain future events after temporal, conditional, and relative triggers. Almost extinct in Spanish; thriving in Portuguese.
- Indicative vs Conjuntivo: When to Use WhichB1 — The core mood contrast in Portuguese — indicative for what is, conjuntivo for what is wished, doubted, feared, or hypothetical. A complete decision framework with all the triggers, the three conjuntivo tenses, and the errors English speakers reliably make.