Portuguese Verbs Basics Flashcards
This deck provides a rundown of the basic rules that govern Portuguese grammar and conjugation. You will learn about the main verb groups, subject pronouns, reflexive verbs and pronouns, impersonal verbs, and some irregular verbs -- like those that end in -POR. You will also learn some differences between Brazilian and European Portuguese, as well as the regular conjugation endings for the tenses presented in the other decks of this product.
1
Q
What are the main subject pronouns used in Portuguese?
A
- eu (I)
- tu (the singular “you”)
- ele/ela (he/she)
- nós (we)
- vós (the plural “you”)
- eles/elas (they)
2
Q
How is você used as a subject pronoun?
A
Você (or its plural form vocês) is an alternative for the second-person pronouns – tu and vós. However, although it technically refers to a second person (“you” or “you all”), it is used with third-person conjugations.
Example: Tu gostas de música” = Você gosta de música” = “You like music”
3
Q
What are the usual formal and informal treatments in Brazilian Portuguese?
A
In Brazilian Portuguese, você is the standard informal treatment, and is replaced by o senhor/a senhora (“Sir”/”Madam”) in formal contexts. In very colloquial settings, tu may also be employed, in a grammatically incorrect but generally accepted construction, where it is actually used with third-person conjugations, instead of those for the second person.
Example: “Are you going to do that?”
Você vai fazer isso? [grammatically correct third-person conjugation]
Tu vai fazer isso? [grammatically incorrect third-person conjugation, but accepted informally]
The proper usage of tu in Brazilian Portuguese doesn’t sound natural in most contexts. In Portugal, however, tu is the standard informal treatment (with the proper second-person conjugations), while você is used formally.
4
Q
What are the three main regular verb groups in Portuguese?
A
The three groups are as follows: those ending in -AR (1st conjugation), those ending in -ER (2nd conjugation), and those ending in -IR (3rd conjugation).
There are also several irregular verbs that differ in one or multiple forms and that require specific memorization. Verbs ending in -POR, such as pôr (to put), propor (to propose), or compor (to compose), form a particular group of verbs that, despite the differences in form, are traditionally included in the 2nd conjugation group by many linguists.
5
Q
What are the four most commonly used auxiliary verbs?
A
- ser (to be)
- estar (to be)
- ter (to have)
- haver (to have)
6
Q
In Portuguese, there are two forms of the past participle. What are they?
A
They are the regular and irregular past participles. The regular forms end in -ado or -ido while the irregular forms show more variation. Portuguese verbs can have both forms or only one of them.
7
Q
Which auxiliary verbs should be used with the regular and irregular past participles, respectively?
A
Use regular past participles with ter or haver and irregular past participles with ser or estar.
Note, however, that when Portuguese speakers have to choose between a regular and an irregular past participle, many of them choose the irregular one – with any of those four auxiliary verbs, not just with ser or estar. This practice is grammatically incorrect, but very common.
Example: I had already paid them.
Eu já lhes tinha pagado. [grammatically correct]
Eu já lhes tinha pago. [technically incorrect, but commonly used]
8
Q
The verbs ser and estar both mean “to be.” What is the basic difference between them?
A
The verbs ser and estar have the same basic meaning, but the former is used to refer to situations that are seen as intrinsic to the subject, permanent, or, at least, long-lasting. The latter, estar, refers to situations that are temporary.
Examples: She is a happy woman.
Ela é uma mulher feliz. [A long-lasting state.]
He is happy at this moment.
Ele está feliz neste momento. [A temporary state.]
9
Q
Are subject pronouns mandatory in Portuguese conjugation?
A
No. Subject pronouns are frequently omitted whenever the subject is clear, because the verb forms themselves can indicate the subject.
10
Q
In which circumstances is the indicative mood typically used?
A
To refer to factual or highly probable situations.
11
Q
How do you conjugate -AR verbs in the present indicative?
A
Add the following endings to the stem of the verb:
- -o
- -as
- -a
- -amos
- -ais
- -am
12
Q
Conjugate the verb falar (to speak) in the present tense.
A
- eu falo
- tu falas
- ele/ela/você fala
- nós falamos
- vós falais
- eles/elas/vocês falam
13
Q
How do you conjugate -ER verbs in the present indicative?
A
Using the verb comer (to eat) as an example:
- como
- comes
- come
- comemos
- comeis
- comem
14
Q
How do you conjugate -IR verbs in the present indicative?
A
Using the verb abrir (to open) as an example:
- abro
- abres
- abre
- abrimos
- abris
- abrem
15
Q
How do you conjugate verbs ending in -POR in the present indicative?
A
Using the verb pôr (to put) as an example:
- ponho
- pões
- põe
- pomos
- pondes
- põem
16
Q
The English and the Portuguese present perfect are structurally similar. However, are they identical in usage?
A
No. In terms of usage, the present perfect in English would be better matched with the Portuguese simple past. The Portuguese present perfect is actually an equivalent of the English present perfect continuous, describing an action that began in the past but hasn’t finished yet. Aside from the present perfect, Portuguese compound tenses are usually similar in all ways to their English counterparts.
17
Q
How do you conjugate -AR verbs in the present perfect tense?
A
Take the present tense of the auxiliary verb (ter or haver) and add the past participle of the verb you are conjugating. If the verb has two forms for the past participle, use only the regular form.
18
Q
Conjugate the verb falar in the present perfect tense.
A
- eu tenho falado
- tu tens falado
- ele/ela/você tem falado
- nós temos falado
- vós tendes falado
- eles/elas/vocês têm falado
19
Q
How do you conjugate -ER verbs in the present perfect?
A
- tenho comido
- tens comido
- tem comido
- temos comido
- tendes comido
- têm comido
20
Q
How do you conjugate -IR verbs in the present perfect?
A
- tenho aberto
- tens aberto
- tem aberto
- temos aberto
- tendes aberto
- têm aberto
Note that this is an irregular past participle. It is used in this case because the verb abrir is considered to have only this form of the past participle.
21
Q
How do you conjugate verbs ending in -POR in the present perfect?
A
- tenho posto
- tens posto
- tem posto
- temos posto
- tendes posto
- têm posto
This is an irregular past participle.
22
Q
How do you conjugate -AR verbs in the imperfect tense?
A
Add the following endings to the stem of the verb:
- -ava
- -avas
- -ava
- -ávamos
- -áveis
- -avam
23
Q
Conjugate the verb falar in the imperfect tense.
A
- eu falava
- tu falavas
- ele/ela/você falava
- nós falávamos
- vós faláveis
- eles/elas/vocês falavam
24
Q
How do you conjugate -ER verbs in the imperfect indicative?
A
- comia
- comias
- comia
- comíamos
- comíeis
- comiam
25
How do you conjugate -IR verbs in the imperfect indicative?
* abr**ia**
* abr**ias**
* abr**ia**
* abr**íamos**
* abr**íeis**
* abr**iam**
26
How do you conjugate verbs ending in -POR in the imperfect indicative?
* p**unha**
* p**unhas**
* p**unha**
* p**únhamos**
* p**únheis**
* p**unham**
27
How do you conjugate -AR verbs in the simple past tense?
Add the following endings to the stem of the verb:
* **-ei**
* **-aste**
* **-ou**
* **-amos**
* **-astes**
* **-aram**
28
Conjugate the verb *falar* in the simple past.
* eu fal**ei**
* tu fal**aste**
* ele/ela/você fal**ou**
* nós fal**amos**
* vós fal**astes**
* eles/elas/vocês fal**aram**
29
How do you conjugate -ER verbs in the simple past?
* com**i**
* com**este**
* com**eu**
* com**emos**
* com**estes**
* com**eram**
30
How do you conjugate -IR verbs in the simple past?
* abr**i**
* abr**iste**
* abr**iu**
* abr**imos**
* abr**istes**
* abr**iram**
31
How do you conjugate verbs ending in -POR in the simple past?
* p**us**
* p**useste**
* p**ôs**
* p**usemos**
* p**usestes**
* p**useram**
32
How do you conjugate -AR verbs in the pluperfect tense?
Add the following endings to the stem of the verb:
* **-ara**
* **-aras**
* **-ara**
* **-áramos**
* **-áreis**
* **-aram**
33
Conjugate the verb *falar* in the pluperfect.
* eu fal**ara**
* tu fal**aras**
* ele/ela/você fal**ara**
* nós fal**áramos**
* vós fal**áreis**
* eles/elas/vocês fal**aram**
34
How do you conjugate -ER verbs in the pluperfect?
* com**era**
* com**eras**
* com**era**
* com**êramos**
* com**êreis**
* com**eram**
35
How do you conjugate -IR verbs in the pluperfect?
* abr**ira**
* abr**iras**
* abr**ira**
* abr**íramos**
* abr**íreis**
* abr**iram**
36
How do you conjugate verbs ending in -POR in the pluperfect?
* p**usera**
* p**useras**
* p**usera**
* p**uséramos**
* p**uséreis**
* p**useram**
37
What is the difference between the past perfect and the pluperfect?
The difference is merely structural. The Portuguese pluperfect is a simple tense, while the past perfect is a compound tense which requires an auxiliary verb. However, they are applied in the exact same contexts, so they can be used interchangeably.
The pluperfect is considered more formal and is more often seen in written text. Spoken language, especially in informal settings, favors the past perfect.
38
How do you conjugate -AR verbs in the past perfect?
Take the imperfect tense of the auxiliary verb (*ter* or *haver*) and add the past participle of the verb you are conjugating. If the verb has two forms for the past participle, use only the regular form.
39
Conjugate the verb *falar* in the past perfect tense.
* eu tinha falado
* tu tinhas falado
* ele/ela/você tinha falado
* nós tínhamos falado
* vós tínheis falado
* eles/elas/vocês tinham falado
40
How do you conjugate -ER verbs in the past perfect?
* tinha comido
* tinhas comido
* tinha comido
* tínhamos comido
* tínheis comido
* tinham comido
41
How do you conjugate -IR verbs in the past perfect?
* tinha aberto
* tinhas aberto
* tinha aberto
* tínhamos aberto
* tínheis aberto
* tinham aberto
42
How do you conjugate verbs ending in -POR in the past perfect?
* tinha posto
* tinhas posto
* tinha posto
* tínhamos posto
* tínheis posto
* tinham posto
43
How do you conjugate -AR verbs in the future?
Add the following endings to the stem of the verb:
* **-arei**
* **-arás**
* **-ará**
* **-aremos**
* **-areis**
* **-arão**
44
Conjugate the verb *falar* in the future.
* eu fal**arei**
* tu fal**arás**
* ele/ela/você fal**ará**
* nós fal**aremos**
* vós fal**areis**
* eles/elas/vocês fal**arão**
45
How do you conjugate -ER verbs in the future?
* com**erei**
* com**erás**
* com**erá**
* com**eremos**
* com**ereis**
* com**erão**
46
How do you conjugate -IR verbs in the future?
* abr**irei**
* abr**irás**
* abr**irá**
* abr**iremos**
* abr**ireis**
* abr**irão**
47
How do you conjugate verbs ending in -POR in the future?
* p**orei**
* p**orás**
* p**orá**
* p**oremos**
* p**oreis**
* p**orão**
48
How do you conjugate -AR verbs in the future perfect?
Take the future of the auxiliary verb (*ter* or *haver*) and add the past participle of the verb you are conjugating. If the verb has two forms for the past participle, use only the regular form.
49
Conjugate the verb *falar* in the future perfect.
* eu terei falado
* tu terás falado
* ele/ela/você terá falado
* nós teremos falado
* vós tereis falado
* eles/elas/vocês terão falado
50
How do you conjugate -ER verbs in the future perfect?
* terei comido
* terás comido
* terá comido
* teremos comido
* tereis comido
* terão comido
51
How do you conjugate -IR verbs in the future perfect?
* terei aberto
* terás aberto
* terá aberto
* teremos aberto
* tereis aberto
* terão aberto
52
How do you conjugate verbs ending in -POR in the future perfect?
* terei posto
* terás posto
* terá posto
* teremos posto
* tereis posto
* terão posto
53
In which circumstances is the subjunctive mood typically used?
The subjunctive mood is mostly used to describe hypothetical situations and also to:
* express hopes and desires
* express fears, doubts, and disappointment
* express opinions
## Footnote
It is commonly found in subordinate clauses that begin with *que* (that), *se* (if), or *quando* (when).
54
What are some common verbs expressing hope and desire that may be followed by the subjunctive?
* esperar (to wait, to hope)
* querer (to want)
* desejar (to wish)
55
# Translate to Portuguese:
I hope _that_ he **has** everything.
*Eu espero _que_ ele* **tenha** *tudo.*
## Footnote
Note the *que* in the beginning of the subordinate clause, with the verb *ter* appearing in the present subjunctive.
56
What are some common verbs expressing fear, doubt, and disappointment that may be followed by the subjunctive?
* recear (to fear)
* lamentar (to be sorry)
* duvidar (to doubt)
57
# Translate to Portuguese:
I am sorry this happened.
*Eu lamento _que_ isso* **tenha acontecido**.
58
What are some common expressions and verbs expressing opinions that may be followed by the subjunctive?
* É melhor (it's better)
* É necessário (it is necessary)
* Pensar (to think)
* Acreditar (to believe)
59
# Translate to Portuguese:
It will be better _if_ she **goes** too.
*Será melhor _se_ ela* **for** *também.*
## Footnote
Here, the verb *ir* appears in the future subjunctive, since the sentence addresses a future time.
60
How do you conjugate -AR verbs in the present subjunctive?
Add the following endings to the stem of the verb:
* **-e**
* **-es**
* **-e**
* **-emos**
* **-eis**
* **-em**
61
Conjugate the verb *falar* in the present subjunctive.
* fal**e**
* fal**es**
* fal**e**
* fal**emos**
* fal**eis**
* fal**em**
62
How do you conjugate -ER verbs in the present subjunctive?
* com**a**
* com**as**
* com**a**
* com**amos**
* com**ais**
* com**am**
63
How do you conjugate -IR verbs in the present subjunctive?
* abr**a**
* abr**as**
* abr**a**
* abr**amos**
* abr**ais**
* abr**am**
64
How do you conjugate verbs ending in -POR in the present subjunctive?
* p**onha**
* p**onhas**
* p**onha**
* p**onhamos**
* p**onhais**
* p**onham**
65
One of the compound tenses of the subjunctive is conjugated by combining the present subjunctive of the auxiliary verb (*ter* or *haver*) with the past participle of the main verb. With this in mind, how would you conjugate the verb *falar* in this tense? And what is this tense called?
It is the present perfect subjunctive, or past subjunctive, and it is called the *pretérito perfeito composto do subjuntivo* in Portuguese.
The verb *falar* would be conjugated as follows:
* tenha falado
* tenhas falado
* tenha falado
* tenhamos falado
* tenhais falado
* tenham falado
66
How do you conjugate -ER verbs in the present perfect subjunctive?
* tenha comido
* tenhas comido
* tenha comido
* tenhamos comido
* tenhais comido
* tenham comido
67
How do you conjugate -IR verbs in the present perfect subjunctive?
* tenha aberto
* tenhas aberto
* tenha aberto
* tenhamos aberto
* tenhais aberto
* tenham aberto
68
How do you conjugate verbs ending in -POR in the present perfect subjunctive?
* tenha posto
* tenhas posto
* tenha posto
* tenhamos posto
* tenhais posto
* tenham posto
69
How do you conjugate -AR verbs in the imperfect subjunctive?
Add the following endings to the stem of the verb:
* **-asse**
* **-asses**
* **-asse**
* **-****ássemos**
* **-ásseis**
* **-assem**
70
Conjugate the verb *falar* in the imperfect subjunctive.
* fal**asse**
* fal**asses**
* fal**asse**
* fal**ássemos**
* fal**ásseis**
* fal**assem**
71
How do you conjugate -ER verbs in the imperfect subjunctive?
* com**esse**
* com**esses**
* com**esse**
* com**êssemos**
* com**êsseis**
* com**essem**
72
How do you conjugate -IR verbs in the imperfect subjunctive?
* abr**isse**
* abr**isses**
* abr**isse**
* abr**íssemos**
* abr**ísseis**
* abr**issem**
73
How do you conjugate verbs ending in -POR in the imperfect subjunctive?
* p**usesse**
* p**usesses**
* p**usesse**
* p**uséssemos**
* p**usésseis**
* p**usessem**
74
How do you conjugate -AR verbs in the pluperfect subjunctive?
Take the imperfect subjunctive of the auxiliary verb (*ter* or *haver*) and add the past participle of the verb you are conjugating. If the verb has two forms for the past participle, use only the regular form.
75
Conjugate the verb *falar* in the pluperfect subjunctive.
* tivesse falado
* tivesses falado
* tivesse falado
* tivéssemos falado
* tivésseis falado
* tivessem falado
76
How do you conjugate -ER verbs in the pluperfect subjunctive?
* tivesse comido
* tivesses comido
* tivesse comido
* tivéssemos comido
* tivésseis comido
* tivessem comido
77
How do you conjugate -IR verbs in the pluperfect subjunctive?
* tivesse aberto
* tivesses aberto
* tivesse aberto
* tivéssemos aberto
* tivésseis aberto
* tivessem aberto
78
How do you conjugate verbs ending in -POR in the pluperfect subjunctive?
* tivesse posto
* tivesses posto
* tivesse posto
* tivéssemos posto
* tivésseis posto
* tivessem posto
79
How do you conjugate -AR verbs in the future subjunctive?
Add the following endings to the stem of the verb:
* **-ar**
* **-ares**
* **-ar**
* **-armos**
* **-ardes**
* **-arem**
80
Conjugate the verb *falar* in the future subjunctive.
* fal**ar**
* fal**ares**
* fal**ar**
* fal**armos**
* fal**ardes**
* fal**arem**
81
How do you conjugate -ER verbs in the future subjunctive?
* com**er**
* com**eres**
* com**er**
* com**ermos**
* com**erdes**
* com**erem**
82
How do you conjugate -IR verbs in the future subjunctive?
* abr**ir**
* abr**ires**
* abr**ir**
* abr**irmos**
* abr**irdes**
* abr**irem**
83
How do you conjugate verbs ending in -POR in the future subjunctive?
* p**user**
* p**useres**
* p**user**
* p**usermos**
* p**userdes**
* p**userem**
84
The subjunctive mood also includes a compound future tense, the future perfect subjunctive. Describe how -AR verbs are conjugated in that tense, knowing that its structure follows the same conjugation pattern as the future perfect indicative (but in a different mood).
Take the future subjunctive of the auxiliary verb (*ter* or *haver*) and add the past participle of the verb you are conjugating. If the verb has two forms for the past participle, use only the regular form.
85
Conjugate the verb *falar* in the future perfect subjunctive.
* tiver falado
* tiveres falado
* tiver falado
* tivermos falado
* tiverdes falado
* tiverem falado
86
How do you conjugate -ER verbs in the future perfect subjunctive?
* tiver comido
* tiveres comido
* tiver comido
* tivermos comido
* tiverdes comido
* tiverem comido
87
How do you conjugate -IR verbs in the future perfect subjunctive?
* tiver aberto
* tiveres aberto
* tiver aberto
* tivermos aberto
* tiverdes aberto
* tiverem aberto
88
How do you conjugate verbs ending in -POR in the future perfect subjunctive?
* tiver posto
* tiveres posto
* tiver posto
* tivermos posto
* tiverdes posto
* tiverem posto
89
In which circumstances is the conditional mood typically used?
Usually, to describe events that aren't guaranteed to happen and that are dependent on certain conditions. In English, its equivalent is frequently the form "would + verb."
## Footnote
Example: **Gostaria** *de ir com você.* I would like to go with you.
90
How do you conjugate -AR verbs in the present conditional?
Add the following endings to the stem of the verb:
* **-aria**
* **-arias**
* **-aria**
* **-aríamos**
* **-aríeis**
* **-ariam**
91
Conjugate the verb *falar* in the present conditional.
* eu fal**aria**
* tu fal**arias**
* ele/ela/você fal**aria**
* nós fal**aríamos**
* vós fal**aríeis**
* eles/elas/vocês fal**ariam**
92
How do you conjugate -ER verbs in the present conditional?
* com**eria**
* com**erias**
* com**eria**
* com**eríamos**
* com**eríeis**
* com**eriam**
93
How do you conjugate -IR verbs in the present conditional?
* abr**iria**
* abr**irias**
* abr**iria**
* abr**iríamos**
* abr**iríeis**
* abr**iriam**
94
How do you conjugate verbs ending in -POR in the present conditional?
* p**oria**
* p**orias**
* p**oria**
* p**oríamos**
* p**oríeis**
* p**oriam**
95
How do you conjugate -AR verbs in the past conditional?
Take the present conditional of the auxiliary verb (*ter* or *haver*) and add the past participle of the verb you are conjugating. If the verb has two forms for the past participle, use only the regular form.
96
Conjugate the verb *falar* in the past conditional.
* eu teria falado
* tu terias falado
* ele/ela/você teria falado
* nós teríamos falado
* vós teríeis falado
* eles/elas/vocês teriam falado
97
How do you conjugate -ER verbs in the past conditional?
* teria comido
* terias comido
* teria comido
* teríamos comido
* teríeis comido
* teriam comido
98
How do you conjugate -IR verbs in the past conditional?
* teria aberto
* terias aberto
* teria aberto
* teríamos aberto
* teríeis aberto
* teriam aberto
99
How do you conjugate verbs ending in -POR in the past conditional?
* teria posto
* terias posto
* teria posto
* teríamos posto
* teríeis posto
* teriam posto
100
Can the subjunctive and the conditional be used together?
Yes, in the hypothetical sense, to express an improbable or impossible condition:
**se** + imperfect subjunctive + present conditional (improbability in the present)
Example: *Se eu tivesse tempo, eu viria.* If I had time, I would come.
**se** + pluperfect subjunctive + past conditional (impossibility in the past)
Example: *Se eu tivesse tido tempo, teria vindo.* If I had had time, I would have come.
101
In which circumstances is the imperative mood typically used?
To give orders, suggestions, or advice.
102
How do you conjugate -AR verbs in the imperative tense?
For the second-person singular and second-person plural, add the following endings to the stem of the verb:
* **-a**
* **-ai**
## Footnote
The first-person singular doesn't exist. The third-person singular and first and third-person plural are the same as the corresponding conjugations of the present subjunctive.
103
Conjugate the verb *falar* in the imperative.
* -
* fal**a**
* fale
* falemos
* fal**ai**
* falem
104
How do you conjugate -ER verbs in the imperative?
* -
* com**e**
* coma
* comamos
* com**ei**
* comam
105
How do you conjugate -IR verbs in the imperative?
* -
* abr**e**
* abra
* abramos
* abr**i**
* abram
106
How do you conjugate verbs ending in -POR in the imperative?
* -
* p**õe**
* ponha
* ponhamos
* p**onde**
* ponham
107
How do you conjugate verbs in the negative imperative?
The negative imperative is formed with the exact same conjugations as the present subjunctive, but preceded by the adverb *não* (no/not). Just like in the affirmative imperative, there is no first-person singular form.
108
Conjugate *falar* in the negative imperative.
* -
* não fales
* não fale
* não falemos
* não faleis
* não falem
109
How do you form the gerund of verbs from each conjugation group?
* For verbs of the 1st conjugation (-AR verbs), add the ending *-ando* to the stem of the verb.
* For verbs of the 2nd conjugation (-ER verbs), add the ending *-endo* to the stem of the verb.
* For verbs of the 3rd conjugation (-IR verbs), add the ending *-indo* to the stem of the verb.
* In the case of the verb *pôr* and its derivatives, add the ending *-ondo* to the stem of the verb.
110
Write the gerund of the following -AR verbs:
* falar (to speak)
* brincar (to play)
* cantar (to sing)
* fal**ando**
* brinc**ando**
* cant**ando**
111
Write the gerund of the following -ER verbs:
* comer (to eat)
* beber (to drink)
* crescer (to grow)
* com**endo**
* beb**endo**
* cresc**endo**
112
Write the gerund of the following -IR verbs:
* abrir (to open)
* dormir (to sleep)
* pedir (to request)
* abr**indo**
* dorm**indo**
* ped**indo**
113
Write the gerund of the following verbs ending in -POR:
* pôr (to put)
* compor (to compose)
* dispor (to dispose, to have)
* p**ondo**
* comp**ondo**
* disp**ondo**
114
The Portuguese language has two forms of the infinitive. What are they called and what is the basic difference between them?
They are the impersonal infinitive and the personal infinitive. The personal infinitive is inflected for person and number, while the impersonal infinitive is invariable.
115
In which situations is the personal infinitive commonly used?
Usually, the personal infinitive is used: a) when the same sentence has clauses with different subjects; b) when there is an explicit subject preceding the infinitive; c) to refer to an undetermined subject in the third-person plural.
## Footnote
Note that there is no set of boundaries regarding the use of the personal infinitive, which is rare or nonexistent in most other well-known languages. The best way to understand the many contexts in which it may be used is simply to be directly exposed to all of them in both written and spoken form.
116
Explain why, in the sentence below, we use the personal infinitive form of the verb *ir* (to go).
*Eu acho que é melhor tu* **ires** *embora.* I think it is better for you to leave.
There are two different subjects in the sentence. The first subject is *eu* (first-person singular), while the second subject is *tu* (second-person singular).
117
Explain why, in the sentence below, we use the personal infinitive form of the verb *ver* (to see).
*Acendemos a luz para _nós_* **vermos** *melhor.* We turned on the lights for _us_ to see better.
In this case, the subject, *nós* (second-person plural), was clearly expressed in the second clause, even though it was only implicit in the main clause.
Since the subject is always the same, had it remained implicit in the second clause, the impersonal infinitive would have been just as appropriate: *Acendemos a luz para* **ver** *melhor.* We turned on the lights to see better.
So in these cases, if there is an expressed subject, the personal infinitive is not just optional, it is mandatory for a grammatically correct sentence.
118
Explain why, in the sentence below, we use the personal infinitive form of the verb *dizer* (to say).
*As meninas quiseram ficar lindas para não* **dizerem** *que elas não tinham estilo.* The girls wanted to look gorgeous for _others_ not to say they had no style.
In this sentence, there is a reference to an undetermined third person, which makes the use of the personal infinitive valid.
One can argue that this ends up being the same situation as that from an earlier example, which had two different subjects. In this case, they just happen to be identical in person and number.
119
Which verbs have the exact same conjugations for the personal infinitive and the future subjunctive? What is the easiest way to identify which tense is being used in a sentence?
Regular verbs have identical conjugations in both the personal infinitive and the future subjunctive.
To identify which is being used in a sentence, it is best to replace the verb with an irregular one and see which form of that verb fits best.
120
In the sentence below, in which tense is the verb in bold -- the personal infinitive or the future subjunctive? If you are in doubt, try replacing the verb with an irregular one.
*Vou sentir medo quando* **falar** *com ele.* I'll be afraid once I **talk** to him.
Replacing the verb *falar* with the irregular verb *fazer* (to do), you get:
Personal infinitive?: *Vou sentir medo quando* **fazer** *com ele.* **Incorrect.** *Quando fazer* is grammatically incorrect in this context.
Future subjunctive?: *Vou sentir medo quando* **fizer** *com ele.* **Correct.** *Quando fizer* is grammatically correct.
Therefore, in the sentence, the verb *falar* was in the future subjunctive.
121
In the sentence below, in which tense is the verb in bold -- the personal infinitive or the future subjunctive? If you are in doubt, try replacing the verb with an irregular one.
*Vou sentir medo de* **falar** *com ele.* I'll be afraid of talking to him.
Replacing the verb *falar* with the irregular verb *fazer* (to do), you get:
Future subjunctive?: *Vou sentir medo de* **fizer** *com ele.* **Incorrect.** *De fizer* is grammatically incorrect.
Personal infinitive?: *Vou sentir medo de* **fazer** *com ele.* **Correct.** *De fazer* is grammatically correct.
Therefore, in the sentence, the verb *falar* was in the personal infinitive.
122
How do you form the continuous forms of simple tenses?
There are two options. One is to use the gerund of the verb, preceded by an auxiliary verb (usually *estar*) in one of the simple tenses.
Another option is to follow the auxiliary verb with the preposition *a* + the infinitive form of the verb.
The first option is dominant in Brazilian Portuguese, while European Portuguese favors the second option, except in some (mostly southern) regions of Portugal.
Example of the present continuous: **Estou comendo** *sopa* = **Estou a comer** *sopa* = I am eating soup
123
Are there any peculiarities regarding the construction of the past and future continuous?
In the past continuous, the auxiliary verb is commonly used in the imperfect tense instead of in the simple past. The usage of the simple past for the auxiliary verb usually only applies when the speaker is referring to a distant past.
Also, in the future continuous, instead of using only one auxiliary verb (*estar*) in the future, there is also the option of adding a second auxiliary verb (the verb *ir*) to express the time of the action, leaving the auxiliary verb *estar* in its infinitive form.
## Footnote
Example of the future continuous: **Estarei fazendo** *exercício* = **Vou estar fazendo** *exercício* = I will be exercising
124
What is the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs?
Transitive verbs are action verbs that have a direct object, whereas intransitive verbs don't have objects.
## Footnote
Example: "I eat cake" (transitive) vs. "I slept" (intransitive)
A simple way of distinguishing between them is to see if the questions "What?" or "Who?" (referring to direct objects) or "To whom?" (referring to indirect objects) can be applied to the verb in question. In the sentence "I eat cake," "cake" is the answer to the question "Eat what?" But one cannot ask "Slept what?" or "Slept who?" These questions are only applicable to transitive verbs and never to intransitive verbs.
125
What are reflexive verbs?
They are verbs whose subject acts on itself or performs an action that is reciprocal.
## Footnote
For example, the reflexive form of the verb *vestir*, "to dress," is *vestir-se*. This literally translates to "to dress oneself."
In the phrase *Eles se abraçaram*, "They hugged each other," *se abraçaram* is a reflexive form of the verb *abraçar*, "to hug," in the third-person plural.
126
How is the infinitive tense of a reflexive verb formed?
Add the pronoun **se** to the infinitive form of the verb, using a hyphen to connect the two.
## Footnote
Examples: *levantar***-se** (to get oneself up), *pentear***-se** (to comb oneself), *olhar***-se** (to look at oneself)
127
How do you conjugate reflexive verbs?
They are conjugated normally, only you must remember to add the appropriate reflexive pronoun to the conjugation. The six reflexive pronouns are, in order:
* me
* te
* se
* nos
* vos
* se
128
In Brazilian Portuguese, where are reflexive pronouns usually placed, in relation to the verb?
In Brazilian Portuguese, it is most common for reflexive pronouns to precede the verb.
Examples: *Eu* **me** *vesti sem ajuda.* I dressed **myself** without help.
*Ela* **se** *chateou com ele.* She got **herself** mad at him.
In Portugal, reflexive pronouns may often come after the verb and are connected to it by a hyphen.
The previous examples would then become: *Eu vesti***-me** *sem ajuda.* *Ela chateou***-se** *com ele.*
In terms of common speech/writing, European Portuguese is more flexible when it comes to the placement of reflexive pronouns.
129
Conjugate the verb *lavar* (to wash) in the reflexive form of the present indicative.
Lavar-se:
* eu **me** lavo
* tu **te** lavas
* ele/ela/você **se** lava
* nós **nos** lavamos
* vós **vos**lavais
* eles/elas/vocês **se** lavam
130
The verb *ser*, as an auxiliary verb, is used to form the passive voice. How does the passive voice work?
The object of the active form becomes the subject of the passive one. In Portuguese, the passive voice is created by the verb *ser* plus the past participle of the main verb. *Ser* should be in the same tense as the verb in its corresponding active sentence. The past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject.
## Footnote
Example: *Eu pago a renda.* I pay the rent. [active form]
*A renda* **é paga** *por mim.* The rent is paid by me. [passive form]
131
Can all verbs be conjugated in the passive form?
No. Only transitive verbs have the passive voice.
132
Conjugate the verb *amar* (to love) in the passive form of the present indicative.
* eu **sou amado/a**
* tu **és amado/a**
* ele/ela/você **é amado/a**
* nós **somos amados/as**
* vós **sois amados/as**
* eles/elas/vocês **são amados/as**
## Footnote
Note how the past participle should vary in gender and number according to the subject. This is not seen in the conjugations of tenses in the active form.
133
Conjugate the verb *ensinar* (to teach) in the passive form of the present perfect subjunctive.
* eu **tenha sido ensinado/a**
* tu **tenhas sido ensinado/a**
* ele/ela/você **tenha sido ensinado/a**
* nós **tenhamos sido ensinados/as**
* vós **tenhais sido ensinados/as**
* eles/elas/vocês **tenham sido ensinados/as**
## Footnote
Note that the auxiliary verb of the passive voice, *ser*, is always next to the main verb, even in the presence of other auxiliary verbs, as is the case here.
134
What are impersonal verbs?
Impersonal verbs are verbs with no determinate subject. They can only be conjugated in the third person in all moods except for the imperative, which does not exist for impersonal verbs.
## Footnote
Example: the verb *chover* (to rain) can only be conjugated in the third person.
135
What are some common impersonal verbs used to talk about weather?
Some verbs used to talk about weather:
* *chover* - to rain
* *nevar* - to snow
* *trovejar* - to thunder
136
Many impersonal verbs are used to tell facts and express opinions, feelings, and needs. List some of them.
* *haver* - there to be/to happen/to occur
* *acontecer* - to happen/to occur
* *ocorrer* - to happen/to occur
* *suceder* - to happen/to occur
* *bastar* - to be enough
* *precisar* - to need/to be necessary
* *parecer* - to seem/to appear
137
# Translate to Portuguese:
"There was an accident."
*Houve um acidente.*
138
# Translate to Portuguese:
"It happens that you are wrong."
*Acontece que você está errado.*
## Footnote
The verbs *ocorrer* or *suceder* would also work here.
139
# Translate to Portuguese:
"It seems like she's happy."
*Parece que ela está feliz.*
## Footnote
Note that the verb *ser* could also be used instead of *estar*. It is the context that determines which one is the most appropriate. In this case, not enough information is given, so one could have translated with either verb.
140
What are object pronouns and which types exist in Portuguese?
Object pronouns are personal pronouns that can be used as objects of a sentence in the place of the noun(s) that previously served that function. They are helpful to avoid the constant repetition of nouns in a group of sentences or clauses.
Two types of object pronouns exist in Portuguese: the direct and indirect object pronouns, which replace direct and indirect objects, respectively.
141
List the Portuguese direct object pronouns.
* 1st person singular: **me**
* 2nd person singular: **te (informal), o/a (formal), lo/la**
* 3rd person singular: **o/a, lo/la, no/na**
* 1st person plural: **nos**
* 2nd person plural: **os/as, los/las, nos/nas**
* 3rd person plural: **os/as, los/las, nos/nas**
142
When should you use the direct object pronouns *lo/la(s)* instead of *o/a(s)*?
The forms *lo*, *la*, *los*, and *las* are used instead of *o*, *a*, *os*, and *as* whenever they come right after the infinitive form of a verb, or after a verb form ending in -S.
## Footnote
If after an infinitive, the final -R is dropped and an acute accent is added to the last vowel when the verb is of the -AR group, while a circumflex accent is added when the verb is of the -ER group (which traditionally includes verbs ending in -POR). No accent is added when the verb is of the -IR group.
The direct object pronoun connects to the verb with a hyphen. If the direct object pronoun comes after a verb form ending in -S, no accents should be added to the verb, although the last -S is also dropped and a hyphen is used to connect the object pronoun to the verb.
143
Rewrite the sentence below using a direct object pronoun to replace the original object.
*Você vai* **comer** *_o bolo_?* Are you going to **eat** _the cake_?
*comer + o*
*Você vai* **comê***-_lo_?* Are you going to **eat** _it_?
144
Rewrite the sentence below using a direct object pronoun to replace the original object.
**Levas** *_os livros_ na mochila?* Do you **carry** _the books_ in the backpack?
*levas + os*
*Tu* **leva-los** *na mochila?* Do you **carry** _them_ in the backpack?
145
When should you use the direct object pronouns *no/na(s)* instead of *o/a(s)*?
The forms *no*, *na*, *nos*, and *nas* are used instead of *o*, *a*, *os*, and *as* whenever they come right after a verb form that ends in a nasal consonant. M and N are the nasal consonants; Portuguese verbs can only end in the former. In those cases, the verb form is left unchanged. All you have to do is connect the direct object pronoun to it with a hyphen.
146
Rewrite the sentence below using a direct object pronoun to replace the original object.
*Eles* **compraram** *_as roupas_.* They **bought** _the clothes_.
*compraram + as*
*Eles* **compraram***-_nas_.* They **bought** _them_.
147
In previous examples, the direct object pronouns were always placed after the verb. Is this the only possible placement for them? And what is the preferred placement in Brazilian Portuguese?
Direct object pronouns can also be placed before the verb and, in certain cases, even in the middle of it (creating more complicated constructions that are not commonly used).
Brazilians prefer to place direct object pronouns before the verb, while the Portuguese tend to put them after the verb. This is not a rule, but a strong preference. The main exception is when Brazilians use subject pronouns as direct object pronouns, in which case the subject pronouns will appear after the verb. You will learn more about this exception soon.
148
What are the structural differences between placing direct object pronouns before and after the verb?
As seen before, direct object pronouns that come after the verb always have to connect to it with a hyphen, and the forms *lo/la(s)* and *no/na(s)* have to be used instead of *o/a(s)* whenever necessary.
When direct object pronouns come before the verb, they are independent in the sentence and don't connect to the verb. Also, the forms *lo/la(s)* and *no/na(s)* are never applicable when the pronoun precedes the verb -- only the forms *o/a(s)*.
149
In informal Brazilian Portuguese, the standard direct object pronouns are rarely used. What do Brazilians use as direct object pronouns instead?
Brazilian people commonly use subject pronouns as direct object pronouns, instead of the true direct object pronouns. The only exceptions to this are the 1st and 2nd person singular, where *me* and *te* are still used instead of *eu* and *tu*.
150
List the Portuguese indirect object pronouns.
* 1st person singular: **me, para mim**
* 2nd person singular: **te (informal), lhe (formal), para ti, para você**
* 3rd person singular: **lhe/lha, para ele/para ela (informal), para o senhor/para a senhora (formal)**
* 1st person plural: **nos, para nós**
* 2nd person plural: **lhes, para vocês**
* 3rd person plural: **lhes, para eles/para elas (informal), para os senhores/para as senhoras (formal)**
## Footnote
Note: The construction "para ..." is a grammatically correct alternative form for all indirect object pronouns.
151
In Brazilian Portuguese, what is the usual placement for indirect object pronouns?
Just like direct object pronouns, Brazilian Portuguese favors the placement of indirect object pronouns before the verb. However, the alternative construction "para ..." always comes after the verb.
152
Rewrite the sentence below twice, substituting the original indirect object for a true indirect object pronoun in one case and for the alternative construction "para ..." in the other.
*Mônica* **deu** *o livro _para Pedro_.* Mônica **gave** the book _to Pedro_.
With a true indirect object pronoun:
*Mônica _lhe_* **deu** *o livro.* Mônica **gave** _him_ the book.
With the construction "para...":
*Mônica* **deu** *o livro _para ele_.* Mônica **gave** the book _to him_.
153
In informal Brazilian Portuguese, what is most commonly used -- the standard indirect object pronouns or the alternative construction "para ..."?
Brazilian people favor the construction "para ..." instead of the simple indirect object pronouns. Both are grammatically correct, though, instead of the informal versions of direct object pronouns, which, however common, are technically incorrect.
154
Rewrite the sentence below, substituting the original direct and indirect objects with their respective informal versions of object pronouns.
*Pedro comprou* **o carro** *_para Mônica_.* Pedro bought **the car** _for Mônica_.
With informally substituted objects:
*Pedro comprou* **ele** *_para ela_.* Pedro bought **it** _for her_.
155
Rewrite the below sentence by replacing the original direct and indirect objects with their respective formal object pronouns.
*Pedro comprou* **o carro** *_para Mônica_.* Pedro bought **the car** _for Mônica_.
With properly substituted objects:
*Pedro* **o** *comprou _para ela_.* Pedro bought **it** _for her_.
