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Quick Grammar Reference
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o r t u g u e s e O n
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>>Verbs > Conditional
The conditional allows you to express that an action would happen. For this reason, it is mainly confined to hypothetical statements. In the English phrase I would go with you, but I can't, the verb would go is a conditional.
To form the conditional, you will take the infinitive with its -ar, -er, or -ir ending, then add the following endings. See the section on subject pronouns for more information on the pronouns listed in the left column.
| -ar verbs (falar to speak) | -er verbs (vender to sell) | -ir verbs (partir to leave) | |
| eu | -aria (falaria) | -eria (venderia) | -iria (partiria) |
| tu (Portugal only) | -arias (falarias) | -erias (venderias) | -irias (partirias) |
| ele, ela, você | -aria (falaria) | -eria (venderia) | -iria (partiria) |
| nós | -aríamos (falaríamos) | -eríamos (venderíamos) | -iríamos (partiríamos) |
| vós (archaic) | -aríeis (falaríeis) | -eríeis (venderíeis) | -iríeis (partiríeis) |
| eles, elas, vocês | -ariam (falariam) | -eriam (venderiam) | -iriam (partiriam) |
In Portuguese, you will use the conditional for actions that would take place. The conditional is often found in hypothetical phrases beside the imperfect subjunctive. These are usually if...would... statements, using the Portuguese word se, meaning if.
Se ele falasse português partiria
amanhã if he spoke Portuguese, he would leave tomorrow.
Se vendêssemos livros vocês os comprariam
if we sold books, all of you would buy them. (literally you them
would-buy)
Eu falaria mas não falo sua língua I
would speak, but I don't speak your language.
Se falasse sua língua falaria if I spoke
your language, I would speak..
Keep in mind that, unlike in English, it is not necessary to use a subject pronoun or a noun with the verb. Falaria and eu falaria both mean I would speak. You may choose to use them when clarifying (ela falaria she would speak, when she is not already obvious from context) or emphasizing (eles falariam THEY would speak). This is especially useful when distinguishing between eu, ele, ela, and você, since they always share the same form in the conditional.