fôssemos

Fôssemos is a verb form in Portuguese, the first-person plural of the imperfect subjunctive for the verbs ser and ir. The form is identical for both verbs, so its meaning depends on the context. It is used to express hypothetical, non-real, or uncertain situations in the past or in clauses that refer to past time.

Grammatically, fôssemos appears in subordinate clauses introduced by if or by expressions that require the imperfect subjunctive. In sentences with a main clause in a past, conditional, or polite request context, fôssemos marks a hypothetical or counterfactual situation. Because the form is identical for ser and ir, the intended verb must be inferred from the surrounding words.

Usage notes include its presence in both Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese, though the frequency and tone may vary with region and register. It is common in formal writing and in literary or careful speech, and it remains a standard part of the conjugation system of these two verbs. In everyday speech, speakers may replace the structure with alternative phrasings such as “Se nós fôssemos…”, or use a more explicit form like “Se fôssemos ser/ir” only when necessary for clarity.

Examples:

- Se fôssemos mais cuidadosos, evitaríamos erros.

- Se fôssemos ao cinema, veríamos um filme.

See also: imperfect subjunctive in Portuguese, conjugation of ser, conjugation of ir.