Portuguese Phrase
Avisa a gente com antecedência se for cancelar.
Meaning
Literally, “Let us know in advance if you are going to cancel.” It is a polite request to be informed ahead of time about a possible cancellation.
When to use
Use this sentence when you need to ask someone—friend, colleague, or a client—to give you early notice if they decide not to attend an event, cancel a reservation, or drop a plan.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Avisaagentecomantecedênciaseforcancelar
Avisa (imperative)
Second‑person singular imperative of the verb *avisar* (to inform, to let know).
a gente
Colloquial pronoun meaning “we”. It takes third‑person verb forms.
com antecedência
Prepositional phrase meaning “in advance”; *antecedência* is a noun that requires the preposition *com*.
se for cancelar
Conditional clause using the present subjunctive of *ser* (for) + infinitive *cancelar*; expresses a future possibility.
🗨In Conversation
Avisa a gente com antecedência se for cancelar.
Let us know in advance if you are going to cancel.
Claro, eu aviso assim que souber.
Sure, I'll let you know as soon as I find out.
✕Common Mistakes
Avisa a gente com antecedência se vai cancelar.
Using the indicative *vai* loses the conditional nuance; the subjunctive *for* is preferred.
Avise a gente com antecedência se for cancelar.
While grammatically correct, *avise* is formal; in informal speech *avisa* matches the tone of the rest of the sentence.
Avisa a gente com antecedencia se for cancelar.
Missing the accent on the first *e* changes the spelling; the correct form is *antecedência*.
↔Alternatives
Informe‑nos com antecedência caso cancele.
Inform us in advance should you cancel.
Avise a gente antes se precisar cancelar.
Tell us beforehand if you need to cancel.
Dê um aviso prévio se for cancelar.
Give a prior notice if you are going to cancel.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, *a gente* is the most common way to say “we” in everyday conversation, but it is informal. In a formal email you would replace *avisa* with *avise* and *a gente* with *nós*. Also, the subjunctive *for* in the conditional clause sounds more natural than the indicative *vai* in this context.