O Pretérito Imperfeito do Subjuntivo: da pesquisa para a sala de aula, uma aproximação

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present a rereading of the discussion on temporality and modality of the Past Imperfect Subjunctive (PIS) form. The temporality analysis is based on the Relative Time Theory, and on the modality theory, in a three-way distinction between factuality, counterfactuality, and eventuality (Neves and Souza, 1999). In an empirical written language corpus study, Prestes (2003) has found a pattern in the use of PIS, as follow: Factual PIS tend to occur along with events which express past tense (A novidade fez com que ganhasse corpo a ideia de…), counterfactual ones are used with present events (Não estivéssemos numa crise de liquidez...), and eventual or hypothetical ones appear with future events (Talvez os índios achassem até graça...). Drawn on these results, we present and discuss activities and tasks developed and used in Portuguese as a foreign language classes.