Present: Indicative vs Subjunctive

The present subjunctive is used for actions or states, regarding either the present or the future, which are dependent on actual events or confirmation, as opposed to being able to be taken for granted.It is commonly used in sentences that begin with a verb in the present simple, along with the word "que" (that). These verbs may express doubt, desire or a feeling. Here are some examples:

• Espero que consigas o emprego. (I hope that you get the job.)
• Quero que vás a Lisboa. (I want you to go to Lisbon.)

“Talvez” (maybe) is also habitual at the beginning of sentences:

• Talvez o vejamos de novo. (Maybe we’ll see him again.)

Sometimes the initial structure is impersonal: É (It is) + adjective + que (that).

For example:

• É preciso que eles tenham oportunidades iguais. (It’s necessary that they have equal opportunities.)
• É possível que isto não funcione. (It’s possible that this won’t work.)

However, if the sentence expresses certainty, the indicative mood must be used.

For example:

• É obvio que eles têm oportunidades iguais. (It’s obvious that they have equal opportunities.)
• É evidente que isto não funciona. (It’s evident that this doesn’t work.)
• É claro que ninguém se esquece. (It’s clear/of course nobody forgets.)