Breakdown of Não renovo a subscrição anual salvo se eles baixarem o preço.
não
not / no
eles
they (m)
o preço
the price
renovar
to renew
baixar
to lower
a subscrição
the subscription
salvo se
unless
anual
annual
Questions & Answers about Não renovo a subscrição anual salvo se eles baixarem o preço.
Why does salvo se trigger the future subjunctive (baixarem) here instead of the present subjunctive?
The phrase salvo se (unless / except if) sets up a condition. Because this specific condition is a hypothetical event that might happen in the future (them lowering the price), Portuguese requires the future subjunctive.
Could I use a não ser que instead of salvo se to mean "unless" in this sentence?
Yes, but you would have to change the verb tense! While salvo se and exceto se point to future conditions and take the future subjunctive (baixarem), the conjunction a não ser que is a fixed trigger for the present subjunctive. If you swapped them, the sentence would become: Não renovo a subscrição anual a não ser que eles baixem o preço.
The sentence starts with the present tense Não renovo. Shouldn't it be in the future tense (Não renovarei) since the renewal is in the future?
You could use the future tense, but in everyday Portuguese, it is very common to use the present indicative to talk about firmly decided future actions. Saying Não renovo sounds more natural and immediate here than the more formal future tense Não renovarei.
Is there a difference between subscrição and assinatura for the word "subscription"?
They are often used interchangeably in Portugal. Assinatura is the most common everyday word for subscribing to a magazine, a gym, or a streaming platform. Subscrição is also correct but can sound slightly more formal or technical, often appearing in the context of software licenses, apps, or financial shares. Both work perfectly here.
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