Real and possible conditions with se

In brief

Use se (‘if’) to connect a real condition with its result. When you are talking about a present situation or a repeated pattern, the condition can use the present indicative. The result tells us what happens or what someone should do if that condition holds.

Form

Se + present indicative, + present indicative or imperative. The result can also come first: result + se + present indicative.

Usage

• For a current possibility, describe the situation with se and then say what to do: Se a loja está aberta, vamos entrar.
• For habits, use the present indicative on both sides: Se fico cansado, faço uma pausa.
• Use a comma when the se-clause comes first; no comma is normally needed when it comes last.

Examples

• Se a loja está aberta, vamos entrar. — If the store is open, let’s go in.
• Se fico cansado, faço uma pausa. — If I get tired, I take a break.
• Peça um lanche se você está com fome. — Order a snack if you’re hungry.

Common mistake

❌ Se a loja estará aberta, vamos entrar.

✅ Se a loja está aberta, vamos entrar.

For a condition about the store’s current state, use the present indicative está after se, not the future indicative estará.

Remember

For present facts and recurring situations, se can introduce a condition in the present indicative.