Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Se o professor autorizar, podemos sair mais cedo. - If the teacher authorizes it, we can leave earlier.

It’s the third-person singular of the future subjunctive, used after se to express a condition that may happen in the future. Even though it looks like the infinitive, the presence of se plus the meaning “if the teacher authorizes” tells you it’s a future subjunctive.

How can I tell that autorizar is the future subjunctive and not the infinitive?

Portuguese uses the future subjunctive in conditional clauses introduced by se when referring to something that might happen later. The form matches the infinitive for this verb, but its function is revealed by the conditional sense: “if/when the teacher authorizes.”

Why doesn’t the sentence say Se o professor autoriza?

Autoriza is present indicative, which you use for habitual or general truths. For a future or potential condition, European Portuguese grammar requires the future subjunctive (autorizar) after se.

Why is the main clause in the present tense (podemos sair) instead of the future tense?

Portuguese often uses the present indicative (“podemos sair”) to talk about possible future actions when a condition is met. It emphasizes permission (“we can leave”). You could also say sairemos mais cedo (“we will leave earlier”), but that’s a simple future statement without focusing on permission.

Is it correct to say Se o professor autorizar, poderemos sair mais cedo?

Yes. Poderemos is the future indicative of poder (“we will be able to”) and stresses future ability. Both podemos sair and poderemos sair are grammatically correct; the first is more immediate/conversational, the second more explicit about the future.

Why is there an o before professor? Can I omit it?

In Portuguese, you normally use a definite article before titles or professions: o professor, a médica, o engenheiro. Omitting the article (Se professor autorizar…) sounds unnatural in European Portuguese.

I’ve heard Brazilians drop the article before professions sometimes. Is that okay?

Informally, some Brazilians omit the article (“chegou médico” instead of “chegou o médico”), but in Portugal the article is standard. If you want to sound natural in Portugal, keep o professor.

Can I invert the clauses to Podemos sair mais cedo se o professor autorizar?

Absolutely. Portuguese allows you to place the conditional clause at the end. The meaning stays the same, and word order is just a matter of style or emphasis.

Could I use caso instead of se? Would the verb form change?

Yes, caso also means “if” but is more formal. With caso you use the present subjunctive for hypothetical or less certain conditions: Caso o professor autorize, podemos sair mais cedo (notice autorize).

Why is it autorize with caso but autorizar with se?

After se introducing a future-real condition, you use the future subjunctive (autorizar). Caso, on the other hand, typically triggers the present subjunctive (autorize) to express a hypothetical or formal condition.

What does sair mais cedo mean exactly, and can I use other expressions?

Sair mais cedo means “to leave earlier” (than usual or planned). Alternatives include sair um pouco mais cedo (“leave a little earlier”) or sair antes do previsto (“leave before what was planned”), but mais cedo is the most direct translation of “earlier.”

Why is there no preposition between podemos and sair?

Poder is a modal verb in Portuguese and it’s directly followed by the infinitive (podemos sair), without de. Unlike other verbs (e.g., começar a, precisar de), poder doesn’t need a preposition before another verb.