Ligarmos: Using the Present Subjunctive in Portuguese

In the rich tapestry of the Portuguese language, certain verb forms stand out for their unique characteristics and usage. One such form is ligarmos, a conjugation that plays a significant role in Portuguese grammar and communication. This article delves deep into the world of ligarmos, exploring its meaning, usage, and importance in both European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese.

What Does Ligarmos Mean?

Ligarmos is the first-person plural form of the verb “ligar” in the present subjunctive tense. To break it down:

• “Ligar” is the infinitive form, meaning “to connect” or “to call”
• ligarmos translates to “that we connect” or “that we call”

The subjunctive mood in Portuguese is used to express doubt, uncertainty, wishes, or hypothetical situations. Understanding ligarmos requires a grasp of both the verb “ligar” and the subjunctive mood in Portuguese.

The Verb Ligar: A Closer Look

Before we dive deeper into ligarmos, let’s examine the base verb “ligar” and its various meanings:

1. To connect or link
2. To turn on (an electronic device)
3. To call someone (on the phone)
4. To pay attention or care about something

The versatility of “ligar” makes it a crucial verb in Portuguese, and by extension, ligarmos becomes an important form to master.

Conjugation of Ligarmos

ligarmos is just one form of the verb “ligar.” Here’s a quick overview of the present subjunctive conjugation:

• Que eu ligue (that I connect)
• Que tu ligues (that you connect – informal, singular)
• Que ele/ela/você ligue (that he/she/you connect – formal, singular)
• Que nós ligarmos (that we connect)
• Que vós ligardes (that you connect – informal, plural, mainly used in Portugal)
• Que eles/elas/vocês liguem (that they/you connect – plural)

When to Use Ligarmos

The usage of ligarmos is closely tied to the situations that call for the subjunctive mood in Portuguese. Here are some common scenarios:

1. Expressing wishes or hopes:
   • “Espero que ligarmos os cabos corretamente.” (I hope that we connect the cables correctly.)
2. In conditional statements:
   • “Caso ligarmos para ele, devemos ser educados.” (In case we call him, we should be polite.)
3. After certain conjunctions:
   • “Para que ligarmos os dispositivos, precisamos de energia.” (In order for us to connect the devices, we need power.)
4. Expressing doubt or uncertainty:
   • “Duvido que ligarmos a tempo para a reunião.” (I doubt that we’ll call in time for the meeting.)

Ligarmos in Different Contexts

The versatility of “ligar” means that ligarmos can appear in various contexts. Let’s explore some examples:

Technology and Electronics

In the realm of technology, ligarmos often refers to connecting devices or turning them on:

• “É importante que ligarmos o computador à internet.” (It’s important that we connect the computer to the internet.)
• “Antes que ligarmos a TV, devemos verificar as conexões.” (Before we turn on the TV, we should check the connections.)

Communication

When it comes to communication, especially phone calls, ligarmos is frequently used:

• “Sugiro que ligarmos para o cliente amanhã.” (I suggest that we call the client tomorrow.)
• “É necessário que ligarmos para o suporte técnico.” (It’s necessary that we call technical support.)

Relationships and Connections

ligarmos can also describe forming connections between people or ideas:

• “É fundamental que ligarmos os conceitos para entender o todo.” (It’s crucial that we connect the concepts to understand the whole.)
• “Espero que ligarmos bem com os novos colegas.” (I hope that we connect well with the new colleagues.)

Ligarmos vs. Other Verb Forms

To fully grasp the usage of “ligarmos,” it’s helpful to compare it with other forms of “ligar”:

1. Ligarmos (Present Subjunctive) vs. Ligamos (Present Indicative):
   • “Que ligarmos o aparelho.” (That we connect the device. – expressing a wish or possibility)
   • “Ligamos o aparelho todos os dias.” (We connect the device every day. – stating a fact)
2. Ligarmos (Present Subjunctive) vs. Ligaremos (Future Indicative):
   • “Talvez ligarmos para ela amanhã.” (Maybe we’ll call her tomorrow. – expressing uncertainty)
   • “Ligaremos para ela amanhã.” (We will call her tomorrow. – making a definite statement about the future)
3. Ligarmos (Present Subjunctive) vs. Ligássemos (Imperfect Subjunctive):
   • “É importante que ligarmos agora.” (It’s important that we call now. – present or future possibility)
   • “Era importante que ligássemos ontem.” (It was important that we called yesterday. – past possibility)

Common Phrases with Ligarmos

Several common phrases incorporate “ligarmos.” Here are a few examples:

1. “Caso ligarmos…” (In case we call…)
2. “Antes que ligarmos…” (Before we connect…)
3. “Para que ligarmos…” (So that we connect…)
4. “É possível que ligarmos…” (It’s possible that we’ll connect…)
5. “Embora ligarmos…” (Although we connect…)

These phrases showcase how ligarmos is often used in conjunction with other words to express various shades of meaning and intention.

Ligarmos in European Portuguese vs. Brazilian Portuguese

While ligarmos is used in both European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese, there are some subtle differences in frequency and context:

European Portuguese

In European Portuguese, ligarmos is more commonly used in formal or written contexts. The use of the first-person plural (nós) is more prevalent in general.

Example: “É importante que ligarmos todos os cabos corretamente antes de iniciar o sistema.” (It’s important that we connect all the cables correctly before starting the system.)

Brazilian Portuguese

In Brazilian Portuguese, while ligarmos is grammatically correct and understood, there’s a tendency to use the third-person plural form with “a gente” (meaning “we” or “us”) in more informal situations.

Example: “É importante que a gente ligue todos os cabos corretamente antes de iniciar o sistema.” (It’s important that we connect all the cables correctly before starting the system.)

However, in formal writing or speech, ligarmos is still used in Brazilian Portuguese.

Challenges in Learning Ligarmos

For learners of Portuguese, mastering ligarmos and similar subjunctive forms can be challenging. Here are some common difficulties:

1. Understanding when to use the subjunctive mood
2. Remembering the correct conjugation
3. Distinguishing between similar-sounding forms (e.g., ligamos vs. ligarmos)
4. Grasping the nuances of meaning in different contexts

To overcome these challenges, regular practice and exposure to authentic Portuguese content are key.

Tips for Mastering Ligarmos

If you’re learning Portuguese and want to use ligarmos correctly, consider these tips:

1. Study the subjunctive mood thoroughly
2. Practice conjugating “ligar” in all its forms
3. Listen to native speakers and note how they use ligarmos
4. Use language exchange apps to practice with native speakers
5. Write sentences using ligarmos and ask for feedback
6. Read Portuguese texts and identify instances of ligarmos

Ligarmos in Portuguese Literature and Media

The subjunctive mood, including forms like “ligarmos,” is an integral part of Portuguese expression. You’ll often encounter it in literature, news articles, and formal speeches. Here’s an example from Portuguese literature:

“É preciso que ligarmos o passado ao presente para compreendermos o futuro.” (We must connect the past to the present to understand the future.)

This hypothetical quote demonstrates how ligarmos might be used in a more philosophical or literary context.

Conclusion

Mastering ligarmos and similar subjunctive forms is essential for advanced Portuguese proficiency. It allows for precise expression of possibility, doubt, and hypothetical situations. Understanding and using these forms enriches communication and showcases the complexity of Portuguese grammar. As you advance in your Portuguese learning, focus on such verbs to deepen your grasp of the language and its nuances.