Portuguese conditional sentences, also known as “frases condicionais” in Portuguese, are a crucial aspect of the language that allow speakers to express hypothetical situations, consequences, and possibilities. These sentences are constructed using specific verb tenses and structures to convey different degrees of probability and conditionality. In this guide, we will provide a comprehensive introduction to Portuguese conditional sentences, explaining the different types, usage, and providing example sentences for better understanding.
What are Conditional Sentences?
Conditional sentences are used to express a condition and its potential consequences or outcomes. They typically consist of two parts: the conditional clause (the condition) and the main clause (the result). The conditional clause establishes a condition, while the main clause indicates what would happen if that condition were met. In Portuguese, the condition and result can be expressed using different verb tenses and structures, depending on the degree of probability and conditionality.
Types of Conditional Sentences in Portuguese
In Portuguese, there are three main types of conditional sentences: zero conditional, first conditional, and second conditional. Each type serves a different purpose and requires specific verb forms and structures.
a. Zero Conditional: The zero conditional expresses general truths and facts that are always true when a certain condition is met. It uses the present tense in both the conditional and main clauses. The conjunction “se” (if) is commonly used to introduce the condition.
Example:
Se chove, as ruas ficam molhadas. (If it rains, the streets get wet.)
b. First Conditional: The first conditional expresses possible future events or outcomes that are likely to happen if a specific condition is met. It uses the present tense in the conditional clause and the future indicative tense in the main clause. The conjunction “se” is used to introduce the condition.
Example:
Se estudares, terás sucesso. (If you study, you will succeed.)
c. Second Conditional: The second conditional expresses hypothetical or unreal situations in the present or future. It implies that the condition is unlikely or improbable to be fulfilled. It uses the imperfect subjunctive tense in the conditional clause and the conditional tense in the main clause. The conjunction “se” introduces the condition.
Example:
Se eu fosse rico, viajaria pelo mundo. (If I were rich, I would travel the world.)
Verb Forms and Structures
In Portuguese conditional sentences, different verb forms and structures are used to convey the desired meaning and level of conditionality. Let’s explore the verb forms commonly employed in each type of conditional sentence.
a. Zero Conditional:
Conditional Clause: Present tense indicative
Main Clause: Present tense indicative
Example:
Se tens fome, come algo. (If you are hungry, eat something.)
b. First Conditional:
Conditional Clause: Present tense indicative
Main Clause: Future indicative
Example:
Se eu ganhar na loteria, comprarei uma casa nova. (If I win the lottery, I will buy a new house.)
c. Second Conditional:
Conditional Clause: Imperfect subjunctive
Main Clause: Conditional
Example:
Se eu tivesse mais tempo, estudaria mais. (If I had more time, I would study more.)
Additional Conditional Structures
Apart from the basic conditional sentence structures, there are additional ways to express conditions and their consequences in Portuguese.
a. Using “caso”:
The conjunction “caso” (in case) can be used to introduce a condition. It is often followed by the subjunctive mood to indicate a possible result.
Example:
Caso chova, não sairemos de casa. (In case it rains, we won’t leave the house.)
b. Using “quando” and “sempre que”:
The conjunctions “quando” (when) and “sempre que” (whenever) can be used to express recurring or repeated conditions. They are followed by the present tense in both the conditional and main clauses.
Example:
Quando estudo, obtenho boas notas. (When I study, I get good grades.)
Sempre que chove, levo meu guarda-chuva. (Whenever it rains, I take my umbrella.)
Exceptions and Irregular Verbs
It is important to note that some verbs have irregular conjugations in conditional sentences. For example, the verb “ser” (to be) in the second conditional is conjugated as “fosse” (imperfect subjunctive), not “era” (imperfect indicative). Similarly, the verb “ter” (to have) in the first conditional is conjugated as “terás” (future indicative), not “tens” (present indicative).
Example:
Se eu fosse você, estudaria mais. (If I were you, I would study more.)
Se ganhares o jogo, terás um prêmio. (If you win the game, you will have a prize.)
In conclusion, Portuguese conditional sentences provide a framework for expressing hypothetical situations, consequences, and possibilities. Understanding the different types of conditional sentences and their corresponding verb forms is essential for effective communication in Portuguese. By mastering these structures and practicing with example sentences, you will enhance your ability to express conditions and their outcomes accurately and fluently in the Portuguese language.
Quick quiz
Exercise 1: Zero Conditional
Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence:
Se eu _ (estudar / estudo) muito, obtenho boas notas.
a) estudar
b) estudo
Answer: b) estudo
Explanation: In zero conditional sentences, both the conditional and main clauses are in the present tense indicative. The correct answer is “estudo” because it matches the verb form in the conditional clause “se eu”.
Example sentence: Se eu estudo muito, obtenho boas notas. (If I study a lot, I get good grades.)
Exercise 2: First Conditional
Choose the appropriate verb form to complete the sentence:
Se ela _ (ligar / ligará) mais tarde, falarei com ela.
a) ligar
b) ligará
Answer: a) ligar
Explanation: In first conditional sentences, the conditional clause is in the present tense indicative, while the main clause is in the future indicative. The correct answer is “ligar” because it matches the verb form in the conditional clause “se ela”.
Example sentence: Se ela ligar mais tarde, falarei com ela. (If she calls later, I will talk to her.)
Exercise 3: Second Conditional
Select the correct verb form to complete the sentence:
Se eu _ (ter / tivesse) mais dinheiro, viajaria pelo mundo.
a) ter
b) tivesse
Answer: b) tivesse
Explanation: In the second conditional, the conditional clause uses the imperfect subjunctive tense, while the main clause employs the conditional tense. The correct answer is “tivesse” because it matches the verb form in the conditional clause “se eu”.
Example sentence: Se eu tivesse mais dinheiro, viajaria pelo mundo. (If I had more money, I would travel the world.)
Exercise 4: Using “caso”
Choose the appropriate conjunction to complete the sentence:
_ (Caso / Quando) ela chegar, avise-me.
a) Caso
b) Quando
Answer: a) Caso
Explanation: The conjunction “caso” is used to introduce a condition in Portuguese. In this sentence, it indicates that when she arrives, a specific action should be taken. The correct answer is “Caso”.
Example sentence: Caso ela chegue, avise-me. (In case she arrives, let me know.)
Exercise 5: Using “quando” and “sempre que”
Choose the correct conjunction to complete the sentence:
_ (Quando / Sempre que) neva, as crianças brincam na neve.
a) Quando
b) Sempre que
Answer: b) Sempre que
Explanation: The conjunction “sempre que” is used to express recurring or repeated conditions. In this sentence, it indicates that whenever it snows, the children play in the snow. The correct answer is “Sempre que”.
Example sentence: Sempre que neva, as crianças brincam na neve. (Whenever it snows, the children play in the snow.)
Exercise 6: Irregular Verb in Second Conditional
Select the correct conjugation of the verb “ser” in the second conditional:
Se ele _ (era / fosse) mais alto, alcançaria a prateleira.
a) era
b) fosse
Answer: b) fosse
Explanation: In the second conditional, the verb “ser” is irregular and is conjugated as “fosse” in the imperfect subjunctive tense. The correct answer is “fosse”.
Example sentence: Se ele fosse mais alto, alcançaria a prateleira. (If he were taller, he would reach the shelf.)
Exercise 7: Irregular Verb in First Conditional
Choose the correct conjugation of the verb “ter” in the first conditional:
Se você estudar, você _ (tem / terás) sucesso.
a) tem
b) terás
Answer: b) terás
Explanation: In the first conditional, the verb “ter” is conjugated as “terás” in the future indicative tense. The correct answer is “terás”.
Example sentence: Se você estudar, você terás sucesso. (If you study, you will succeed.)
Exercise 8: First or Second Conditional?
Determine whether the following sentence is an example of the first or second conditional:
Se eu ganhar na loteria, comprarei uma casa nova.
a) First conditional
b) Second conditional
Answer: a) First conditional
Explanation: In this sentence, the condition “Se eu ganhar na loteria” refers to a possible future event, and the result “comprarei uma casa nova” is expressed in the future indicative. Therefore, it is an example of the first conditional.
Example sentence: Se eu ganhar na loteria, comprarei uma casa nova. (If I win the lottery, I will buy a new house.)
Exercise 9: Zero or Second Conditional?
Determine whether the following sentence is an example of the zero or second conditional:
Se você estuda, você aprende.
a) Zero conditional
b) Second conditional
Answer: a) Zero conditional
Explanation: In this sentence, both the condition “Se você estuda” and the result “você aprende” are expressed in the present tense indicative, indicating a general truth or fact. Therefore, it is an example of the zero conditional.
Example sentence: Se você estuda, você aprende. (If you study, you learn.)
Exercise 10: Using “quando” and “caso”
Choose the correct conjunction to complete the sentence:
_ (Quando / Caso) chova, levarei meu guarda-chuva.
a) Quando
b) Caso
Answer: a) Quando
Explanation: The conjunction “quando” is used to express a general condition in this sentence. It indicates that when it rains, a specific action will be taken. The correct answer is “Quando”.
Example sentence: Quando chova, levarei meu guarda-chuva. (When it rains, I will take my umbrella.)
In each exercise, the correct answers are provided along with explanations to help understand why they are the appropriate choices. Example sentences are also given to demonstrate the usage and context of the given answer.
Originally posted 2023-07-19 03:34:00.