Imperfect Past Subjunctive
When to use the imperfect past subjunctive
Very often, the imperfect past subjunctive is used in a subordinate clause (a group of words that contains a subject and a verb) where the main clause has its verb in the imperfect past or conditional. These clauses are usually connected by the word “que” (that/which/who) or “se” (if).
For example: “Eu ia se tivesse tempo” (I would go if I had time).
- The main clause has the verb in the imperfect past: eu ia (I would go)
- The conjunction connects the two clauses: “se” (if)
- The subordinate clause has the verb in the imperfect subjunctive: tivesse tempo (I had time)
When to use the imperfect past subjunctive
The sentence would mean exactly the same if the verb of the main clause was in the conditional: “Eu iria se tivesse tempo” (I would go if I had time).
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Se eu fosse, embora estudasse, talvez devêssemos. The Portuguese imperfect subjunctive for wishes, hypotheticals, doubt and contrast, and how to form it.
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