Timing Future Events
When you want to say that something will happen when, as soon as, or while another future event occurs, you use a temporal clause. In Portuguese, when these time clauses refer to an event that hasn't happened yet, the verb must be in the future subjunctive (futuro do conjuntivo).
The main clause (the action that results) is usually in the future tense or uses ir + infinitive.
Here are the most common time expressions that trigger the future subjunctive when talking about the future:
- quando (when)
- enquanto (while)
- assim que (as soon as)
- logo que (as soon as)
Using Quando
For regular verbs, the future subjunctive is identical to the infinitive for the eu and ele/ela/você forms. For nós, add -mos, and for eles/elas/vocês, add -em.
Expressing "As Soon As"
If you want to emphasize that an action will happen immediately after another, you can use assim que or logo que. Both mean "as soon as" and are used interchangeably.
Expressing "While"
To talk about two actions happening at the same time in the future, use enquanto (while).
Irregular Verbs in Temporal Clauses
Just like with conditional se clauses, irregular verbs have a special base in the future subjunctive. Once you know the irregular base, you simply add the regular endings.
Here are three common irregular verbs you will often use:
- ter (to have) uses the base tiver-
- ver (to see) uses the base vir-
- estar (to be) uses the base estiver-
