Breakdown of É importante que o exame seja feito amanhã.
Questions & Answers about É importante que o exame seja feito amanhã.
Why does this sentence use seja instead of é?
Because é importante que... typically triggers the subjunctive mood in the clause that follows.
So É importante que o exame seja feito amanhã uses seja (present subjunctive of ser) to express a requirement/necessity rather than a simple statement of fact.
Using é feito would sound like you’re stating what normally happens (the exam is done...), not that it’s important it happen.
What grammar pattern is É importante que...?
It’s an impersonal expression:
- É importante = It’s important (no real subject)
- que + [subjunctive clause] = what is important
This is similar to: É necessário que..., É bom que..., É melhor que..., É possível que... (many of these commonly take the subjunctive).
What tense/mood is seja feito exactly?
- seja = present subjunctive of ser
- feito = past participle of fazer
Together, seja feito is the present subjunctive passive (a passive construction formed with ser + past participle).
Is o exame seja feito passive voice? How would the active version look?
Yes. o exame seja feito means the exam be done (passive: the exam receives the action).
Active versions depend on who does it, for example:
- É importante que o médico faça o exame amanhã. (the doctor does the exam)
- É importante que você faça o exame amanhã. (you do/take the exam)
Why is feito masculine? What if the noun were feminine?
The past participle agrees in gender and number with the noun in a ser + participle passive.
- o exame (masc. singular) → feito
If it were feminine: - É importante que a prova seja feita amanhã. (a prova → feita)
Plural: - É importante que os exames sejam feitos amanhã.
- É importante que as provas sejam feitas amanhã.
Why do we need que here?
que introduces the subordinate clause that explains what is important.
Without que, the structure breaks: É importante o exame seja feito... is not standard Portuguese.
Can I move amanhã elsewhere in the sentence?
Yes, and it’s common to move it for emphasis:
- É importante que o exame seja feito amanhã. (neutral)
- É importante que amanhã o exame seja feito. (emphasizes tomorrow)
- Amanhã, é importante que o exame seja feito. (sets the time first)
Why is there an article o in o exame? Can it be omitted?
Portuguese often uses definite articles where English may not. o exame can refer to a known/specific exam in context.
Omitting it is possible in some contexts, especially in headlines/notes or a more general tone:
- É importante que exame seja feito amanhã. (less common; can sound more formal/technical or like a note)
Most everyday speech would keep o.
Is seja feito the only way to say this? What are common alternatives?
Common alternatives include:
- É importante fazer o exame amanhã. (infinitive; very natural and simpler)
- É importante que façam o exame amanhã. (indefinite “they”; someone should do it)
- É importante que você faça o exame amanhã. (directly addresses the person)
Your original sentence is a bit more formal/impersonal, focusing on the exam being completed.
Does this sentence imply obligation, recommendation, or just importance?
É importante que... is softer than é obrigatório que... but stronger than seria bom que....
It expresses that it’s important/necessary in a practical sense—often a recommendation with some pressure, depending on context.
How do I pronounce exame and seja (Brazilian Portuguese)?
Typical Brazilian pronunciation (approximate):
- exame ≈ eh-ZAH-mee (the x here often sounds like z)
- seja ≈ SAY-zhah (the j is like the s in measure)
Stress:
- eXAme (stress on xa)
- SEja (stress on se)
If I wanted to talk about the past or future importance, how would it change?
You’d adjust the main verb é and/or the subordinate verb:
- Past importance (imperfect): Era importante que o exame fosse feito amanhã.
- Past importance (perfect): Foi importante que o exame fosse feito.
- Future framing: Vai ser importante que o exame seja feito amanhã. / Será importante que o exame seja feito amanhã.
Note: after era/foi/será importante que, Portuguese typically keeps the subjunctive in the subordinate clause.
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