Irregular present subjunctive (seja, vá, tenha)

In professional and formal settings, you will often use the Presente do Conjuntivo (Present Subjunctive) to express obligations, demands, and expectations.

Irregular Present Subjunctive

Several essential verbs have irregular forms in the present subjunctive. They do not follow the standard vowel-swapping rules:

Pronounserestarterirquerer
eu / ele / ela / vocêsejaestejatenhaváqueira
tusejasestejastenhasvásqueiras
nóssejamosestejamostenhamosvamosqueiramos
eles / elas / vocêssejamestejamtenhamvãoqueiram

Demands and Expectations

Subjunctive sentences in the workplace are often triggered by verbs of demand like exigir (to demand), or impersonal expressions describing necessity or likelihood like é fundamental (it is fundamental) and é possível (it is possible).

I want the business to be a success.
Quero que o negócio seja um sucesso.
It is fundamental that the manager be present at the meeting.
É fundamental que o gerente esteja presente na reunião.
I demand that the company have a plan.
Exijo que a empresa tenha um plano.

You can also use these forms to give directions or discuss whether a proposal or contract is viable.

The director wants you to go to the department tomorrow.
O diretor quer que vocês vão ao departamento amanhã.
It is possible that the manager does not want the proposal.
É possível que o gerente não queira a proposta.
I hope the contract is not a problem.
Espero que o contrato não seja um problema.

Notice how the subjunctive verb changes when an obligation applies to a group that includes you (nós):

The manager demands that we be present today.
O gerente exige que nós estejamos presentes hoje.
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