Atribuísses

Atribuísses is a verb form in Portuguese, representing the second-person singular of the verb atribuir in the pretérito imperfeito do subjuntivo (imperfect subjunctive). It is used in subordinate clauses to express hypothetical, uncertain, or non-real past actions, often in conjunction with if clauses (se) or verbs of doubt, desire, or possibility.

Form and variants can vary by variety of Portuguese. The form is derived from the stem atribuí- and the subjunctive ending associated with the segunda pessoa do singular in the imperfect subjunctive. In many standard references, you will see curiosities around spelling, with atribuísses appearing in some orthographies to mark the second-person singular, while other persons use forms like atribuísse or atribuísse. The key point is that atribuísses signals a conditional or hypothetical past action addressed to "you" (tu) in contexts where the imperfect subjunctive is appropriate.

Usage and register: The imperfect subjunctive, including atribuísses, is typical in formal, literary, or historical texts and in careful writing. In contemporary Brazilian Portuguese, the tu form is less common in speech, and speakers often use alternative constructions with other tenses or with the pronoun você. In European Portuguese, the second-person singular forms including atribuísses may appear more frequently in written and formal contexts.

Example (hypothetical past): Se tu atribuísses aquela culpa a si mesmo, talvez não houvesse confusão. Example (desire/ doubt context): Não duvido que, se tu atribuísses o crédito adequadamente, haveria consenso.

See also: atribuir, subjuntivo imperfeito, português europeu, português brasileiro.