formásemos

Formásemos is a verb form in Portuguese. It is the first-person plural (nós) of the verb formar in the imperfect subjunctive (modo subjuntivo, tempo pretérito imperfeito). This mood and tense are used for hypothetical, desired, or uncertain situations in the past, or in clauses that depend on a past-tense main verb.

The form is built from the stem form- plus the imperfect subjunctive ending -ássemos. The acute accent on the a (formássemos) marks the expected stress pattern for this conjugation. It is one of several -ar verbs that share the same imperfect-subjunctive endings (for example, falássemos, cantássemos).

Usage notes:

- After se or caso, to express a hypothetical condition in the past or in past-considered scenarios: Se nós formássemos uma aliança, poderíamos agir com mais força.

- In clauses introduced by era necessário que, era importante que, or similar expressions, to express past-or-present relevance: Era necessário que nós formássemos um acordo.

- In reported speech or after verbs of saying or thinking in the past: Ele disse que nós formássemos o plano.

Related forms include other imperfect-subjunctive endings for -ar verbs (eu formasse, tu formasses, ele formasse, vós formásseis, eles formassem). Formásemos, therefore, is a key example of how Portuguese expresses doubt, possibility, or wishes about past-time scenarios through the subjunctive mood.