Adverbs of quantity play an essential role in the Portuguese language as they provide information about the extent or degree of an action, verb, adjective, or another adverb. These adverbs help us express how much or how little of something is being done or exists. In this introduction, we will explore the usage of adverbs of quantity in Portuguese, including their formation, placement, and examples of their usage in sentences.
Formation of Portuguese Adverbs of Quantity
Adverbs of quantity in Portuguese are typically formed by adding the suffix “-mente” to the feminine singular form of the adjective. This suffix corresponds to the English “-ly” ending. For example:
Lentamente (slowly) – formed from lento (slow)
Rapidamente (quickly) – formed from rápido (quick)
It is important to note that not all adverbs of quantity follow this pattern. Some adverbs have unique forms and do not require the addition of the “-mente” suffix. These irregular adverbs include:
Muito (very, much)
Pouco (little, few)
Bastante (enough, plenty)
Quase (almost)
Tanto (so much)
Placement of Portuguese Adverbs of Quantity
In Portuguese, adverbs of quantity generally appear before the verb they modify. However, when the verb is in the infinitive form or when using compound verb tenses, the adverb usually follows the verb. Let’s take a look at some examples to better understand their placement:
Ela fala lentamente. (She speaks slowly.)
Ele estuda muito. (He studies a lot.)
Nós comemos bastante frutas. (We eat plenty of fruits.)
Eles quase nunca saem. (They almost never go out.)
It’s worth noting that when the adverb of quantity modifies an adjective, it typically appears before the adjective:
Ele é muito inteligente. (He is very intelligent.)
Ela é pouco alta. (She is not very tall.)
Essa casa é tão bonita! (This house is so beautiful!)
Usage of Portuguese Adverbs of Quantity
Portuguese adverbs of quantity are used in a variety of contexts to express the degree, extent, or amount of an action or quality. They help us provide more specific information and add nuances to our sentences. Let’s explore the usage of these adverbs through some examples:
Muito (very, much):
Eu gosto muito de música. (I really like music.)
Ele trabalha muito. (He works a lot.)
Pouco (little, few):
Ela tem pouco dinheiro. (She has little money.)
Há poucas pessoas na festa. (There are few people at the party.)
Bastante (enough, plenty):
Comemos bastante comida no jantar. (We ate plenty of food for dinner.)
Eu tenho bastante tempo para terminar o projeto. (I have enough time to finish the project.)
Quase (almost):
Cheguei quase a tempo para a reunião. (I arrived almost on time for the meeting.)
Ele quase ganhou o jogo. (He almost won the game.)
Tanto (so much):
Eu te amo tanto. (I love you so much.)
Ela trabalhou tanto hoje. (She worked so much today.)
Regular adverbs with “-mente” suffix:
Ela falou rapidamente durante a apresentação. (She spoke quickly during the presentation.)
Ele dirigiu cuidadosamente na estrada molhada. (He drove carefully on the wet road.)
It’s important to note that the placement of adverbs of quantity can vary depending on the emphasis or desired effect in a sentence. They can also be combined with other adverbs to provide even more specific information:
Muito + adjective/adverb:
Ela é muito bonita. (She is very beautiful.)
Ele correu muito rápido. (He ran very quickly.)
Pouco + adjective/adverb:
Faz pouco calor hoje. (It’s not very hot today.)
Ela trabalha pouco. (She works very little.)
In conclusion, adverbs of quantity are a fundamental aspect of the Portuguese language. They help us express the degree or extent of an action, verb, adjective, or adverb. By understanding their formation, placement, and usage in sentences, beginners can start incorporating these adverbs into their Portuguese vocabulary and enhance their communication skills. Remember to practice using these adverbs in context to improve your fluency and confidence in the language.
Originally posted 2023-07-15 00:50:01.