Preferirem

Preferirem is a verb form in Portuguese. It is the third-person plural form of the verb preferir in the future subjunctive mood. The future subjunctive is used in dependent clauses referring to actions that may occur in the future or in hypothetical situations, usually after conjunctions such as se (if), quando (when), assim que (as soon as), enquanto (while), or até que (until). For example: "Se eles preferirem, mudaremos o plano" or "Quando eles preferirem, escolheremos outra opção."

Conjugation and pattern: preferirem is the 3rd person plural form of the future subjunctive for the verb preferir. The full set of the future subjunctive for preferir is eu preferir, tu preferires, ele/ela/você preferir, nós preferirmos, vós preferirdes, eles/elas preferirem. The infinitive form is preferir, and the verb is regular in its conjugation pattern for this mood, following the typical endings of -ir verbs in the future subjunctive. It is distinct from the conditional form, which is prefeririam (they would prefer).

Notes: In everyday speech, the future subjunctive is common in formal or careful writing, but some speakers may opt for alternative structures in casual conversation. Understanding preferirem helps in parsing sentences that express contingent or future-oriented preferences within subordinate clauses.