Present reactions to past events
When you write a restaurant review, you are usually sitting in the present evaluating an experience that happened in the past. To express present emotions, judgments, or doubts about an action that has already concluded, you use the perfect subjunctive.
Expressing doubt
Present-tense triggers like não acho que (I do not think that) or the verb duvidar (to doubt) require the subjunctive. When the action you are doubting took place in the past, use the perfect subjunctive.
| to doubt | duvidar |
| I doubt the cook prepared this raw fish. | Duvido que o cozinheiro tenha preparado este peixe cru. |
| We doubt you ate all that spicy dish! | Duvidamos que tenhas comido todo esse prato picante! |
| The disappointment is huge. I don't think they tasted the food before serving. | A deceção é enorme. Não acho que tenham provado a comida antes de servir. |
Expressing emotion and opinion
We also use the perfect subjunctive after expressions of emotion and subjective opinion. Phrases like é pena que (it's a pity that), ficar triste/feliz (to be sad/happy), or lamentar (to regret) trigger the perfect subjunctive when evaluating a completed event.
| the disappointment | a deceção |
| It is a huge disappointment that the meat arrived completely raw. | É uma grande deceção que a carne tenha chegado completamente crua. |
| I just published the review, but it's a pity the service was mediocre. | Acabei de publicar a crítica, mas é pena que o atendimento tenha sido medíocre. |
| I am very happy that your meal was exceptional. | Fico muito feliz que a tua refeição tenha sido excecional. |
Irregular past participles in reviews
When reviewing food, you will frequently use verbs with irregular past participles, such as ser (sido), fazer (feito), and ler (lido). Remember that the past participle remains unchanged, regardless of the subject.
| I regret that the cook made such a spicy and salty soup. | Lamento que o cozinheiro tenha feito uma sopa tão picante e salgada. |
| I doubt that the cook has read the review. | Duvido que o cozinheiro tenha lido a crítica. |