Breakdown of Aceitamos a cláusula exceto se houver um erro.
um
a / an / some (all forms)
haver
to be (there is / there are)
o erro
the mistake
aceitar
to accept
a cláusula
the clause
exceto se
unless
Questions & Answers about Aceitamos a cláusula exceto se houver um erro.
Why does this sentence use the future subjunctive (houver) instead of the present subjunctive?
The phrase exceto se introduces a hypothetical condition that applies to the future. In Portuguese, conditional conjunctions that end with the word se require the future subjunctive when talking about future possibilities. This contrasts with conjunctions ending in que, which typically take the present subjunctive.
I know the verb for 'to exist' is haver. Why is it spelled houver here?
The word houver is the future subjunctive form of haver. While regular verbs have a future subjunctive that looks identical to their personal infinitive, haver is irregular. Its future subjunctive is built from its past perfect stem (houv-), which is why the spelling shifts.
Could I use a não ser que in this sentence to mean 'unless'?
Yes, but you would have to change the verb tense! Conjunctions like a não ser que or a menos que trigger the present subjunctive, so the sentence would become: Aceitamos a cláusula a não ser que haja um erro. Because exceto se ends in se, it takes the future subjunctive (houver) instead.
Why is aceitamos in the present indicative tense if the condition is about the future?
This is a standard conditional sentence structure. The main clause (Aceitamos a cláusula) states a current stance or general fact (We accept the clause), while the conditional clause (exceto se houver um erro) specifies a hypothetical exception that might occur in the future.
Learn Aceitamos a cláusula exceto se houver um erro and more in Portuguese
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free