Tips
Bite-sized grammar.
Quick reminders, not lessons. Each card answers one question — how do I form this tense, when do I use that?
Forming the present subjunctive
Take the yo form, drop the -o, then add the opposite-vowel endings: -ar verbs take -e endings, -er/-ir verbs take -a endings.
Preterite vs. imperfect
Preterite = a finished event. Imperfect = an ongoing background or habit.
Ser vs. estar
Ser = essence (DOCTOR). Estar = state (PLACE).
Por vs. para
Para points forward (purpose, destination). Por looks backward (cause, exchange, duration).
Passé composé vs. imparfait
Passé composé = specific completed event. Imparfait = ongoing background or habit.
Forming the present subjunctive
Take the ils/elles present form, drop -ent, add the subjunctive endings.
Choosing être vs. avoir in compound tenses
Most verbs use avoir. A short list of movement/state verbs (and all reflexives) use être.
Forming the conditional
Future stem + imperfect endings.
The personal infinitive
Portuguese conjugates the infinitive itself when the subject is specified.
Pretérito perfeito vs. imperfeito
Perfeito = completed action. Imperfeito = ongoing or habitual past.
Future subjunctive
Take the 3rd person plural preterite, drop -am, and conjugate.
Ser vs. estar
Ser = permanent essence. Estar = temporary state or location.