When learning a new language, understanding the basics of sentence structure is crucial. In this case, we’ll explore the Portuguese language and specifically focus on declarative sentences. Declarative sentences in Portuguese are used to make statements or provide information. They are the most common type of sentence and are often the first ones beginners learn to construct. In this guide, we’ll cover the key components of declarative sentences in Portuguese, provide examples, and offer some tips to help you become more comfortable using them.
Subject:
Every declarative sentence in Portuguese must have a subject. The subject is the person, thing, or entity that performs the action or about whom the statement is made. It can be a noun, pronoun, or even a phrase. Let’s look at some examples:
O gato está dormindo. (The cat is sleeping.)
Eu gosto de chocolate. (I like chocolate.)
Minha irmã trabalha no hospital. (My sister works at the hospital.)
Verb:
The verb is the action word in a sentence and is essential for conveying meaning. In Portuguese, verbs change according to tense, person, and number. The verb must agree with the subject in terms of number and person. Here are a few examples:
Ela canta muito bem. (She sings very well.)
Nós estudamos todas as noites. (We study every night.)
O carro está rápido. (The car is fast.)
Object:
In declarative sentences, there is often an object that receives the action performed by the subject. The object can be a noun, pronoun, or even a phrase. It answers the question “whom” or “what” the action is directed towards. Consider the following examples:
Eu comprei uma nova câmera. (I bought a new camera.)
Ele escreveu uma carta para sua mãe. (He wrote a letter to his mother.)
Ela encontrou a resposta correta. (She found the correct answer.)
Adverbs and Adjectives:
Adverbs and adjectives provide additional information about the verb or the subject. Adverbs describe how an action is performed, while adjectives describe the characteristics of the subject. Here are a few examples:
Ele fala inglês fluentemente. (He speaks English fluently.)
A casa é muito bonita. (The house is very beautiful.)
Eles correm rapidamente. (They run quickly.)
Word Order:
In Portuguese declarative sentences, the usual word order is subject-verb-object (SVO). However, it’s important to note that Portuguese is a flexible language when it comes to word order, and it allows for some variation. Here are examples of different word orders:
Ele comprou um livro novo. (He bought a new book.)
Um livro novo ele comprou. (A new book he bought.)
Comprou ele um livro novo. (Bought he a new book.)
Sentence Structure:
Portuguese declarative sentences can be as simple as having just a subject and a verb or can become more complex with additional elements. Let’s see a few examples of different sentence structures:
Eu gosto de viajar. (I like to travel.)
Nós vamos ao cinema amanhã. (We are going to the cinema tomorrow.)
Ela comprou flores para a mãe no mercado. (She bought flowers for her mother at the market.)
Punctuation:
Punctuation in Portuguese declarative sentences follows similar rules to English. Sentences begin with a capital letter and end with a period (.), exclamation mark (!), or question mark (?), depending on the nature of the statement. Here are a few examples:
O cachorro late alto. (The dog barks loudly.)
Vamos para a praia! (Let’s go to the beach!)
Você está bem? (Are you okay?)
Verb Conjugation:
One of the essential aspects of Portuguese declarative sentences is verb conjugation. Verbs change their endings based on the subject, tense, and mood. Portuguese has different verb conjugations for each person (I, you, he/she/it, we, they). Here’s an example of the verb “falar” (to speak) in the present tense:
Eu falo (I speak)
Tu falas (You speak)
Ele/Ela fala (He/She speaks)
Nós falamos (We speak)
Eles/Elas falam (They speak)
Practice and Tips:
To become more proficient in constructing Portuguese declarative sentences, it’s crucial to practice regularly. Here are some tips to help you improve:
- Start with simple sentences and gradually add more complexity.
- Listen to native speakers and try to imitate their pronunciation and intonation.
- Read books, articles, and other written materials to expand your vocabulary and see sentence structures in context.
- Use language learning resources such as textbooks, online courses, or language exchange partners to practice and receive feedback.
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Learning a new language involves trial and error, so embrace the learning process.
Remember that mastering declarative sentences in Portuguese, like any language, takes time and practice. Start with the basics and gradually build upon your knowledge and skills. With dedication and persistence, you’ll become more comfortable and confident in expressing yourself in Portuguese declarative sentences.
Quick quiz
Exercise 1:
Choose the correct subject for the given sentence:
“__ comprei um novo computador.”
a) Eu (I)
b) Você (You)
c) Eles (They)
d) Ela (She)
Answer: a) Eu (I)
Explanation: The verb “comprei” indicates the first-person singular (I) form of the verb. Therefore, the correct subject is “Eu.” Example sentence: “Eu comprei um novo computador.” (I bought a new computer.)
Exercise 2:
Identify the object in the following sentence:
“Eu vi __ no parque.”
a) O cachorro (The dog)
b) A casa (The house)
c) Minha mãe (My mother)
d) Os pássaros (The birds)
Answer: d) Os pássaros (The birds)
Explanation: The object in this sentence is what the subject “Eu” saw at the park, which is “os pássaros” (the birds). Example sentence: “Eu vi os pássaros no parque.” (I saw the birds at the park.)
Exercise 3:
Choose the correct adverb for the given sentence:
“Ela dança _.”
a) Rapidamente (Quickly)
b) Lentamente (Slowly)
c) Bonita (Beautifully)
d) Alto (Loudly)
Answer: a) Rapidamente (Quickly)
Explanation: The adverb “rapidamente” describes how she dances. Example sentence: “Ela dança rapidamente.” (She dances quickly.)
Exercise 4:
Select the appropriate word order for the sentence:
“_ uma nova casa compramos.”
a) Nós (We)
b) Eles (They)
c) Ela (She)
d) Ele (He)
Answer: a) Nós (We)
Explanation: The word order in Portuguese declarative sentences is usually subject-verb-object (SVO). Therefore, the correct word order is “Nós uma nova casa compramos.” Example sentence: “Nós compramos uma nova casa.” (We bought a new house.)
Exercise 5:
Choose the correct verb form for the given sentence:
“Eles __ amanhã cedo.”
a) Correm (Run)
b) Correu (Ran)
c) Correram (Ran)
d) Correrão (Will run)
Answer: d) Correrão (Will run)
Explanation: The verb form “correrão” indicates future tense and agrees with the subject “Eles.” Example sentence: “Eles correrão amanhã cedo.” (They will run early tomorrow.)
Exercise 6:
Identify the correct punctuation for the sentence:
“Eu estou cansado __“
a) .
b) ?
c) !
d) ,
Answer: a) .
Explanation: The sentence “Eu estou cansado” is a statement, and statements end with a period (.). Example sentence: “Eu estou cansado.” (I am tired.)
Exercise 7:
Choose the correct verb conjugation for the subject “tu”:
“__ muito bem.”
a) Falamos (We speak)
b) Falo (I speak)
c) Fala (You speak)
d) Falam (They speak)
Answer: c) Fala (You speak)
Explanation: The subject “tu” corresponds to the second-person singular form of the verb. Example sentence: “Tu fala muito bem.” (You speak very well.)
Exercise 8:
Identify the adjective in the following sentence:
“O vestido é __.”
a) Bonito (Beautiful)
b) Compramos (We bought)
c) Corre (Runs)
d) Rápido (Fast)
Answer: a) Bonito (Beautiful)
Explanation: The adjective “bonito” describes the characteristic of the subject “O vestido” (The dress). Example sentence: “O vestido é bonito.” (The dress is beautiful.)
Exercise 9:
Choose the correct subject for the given sentence:
“__ está chovendo hoje.”
a) Ela (She)
b) Eles (They)
c) Nós (We)
d) Eu (I)
Answer: d) Eu (I)
Explanation: The verb “está” indicates the third-person singular form, and the subject “Eu” corresponds to the first-person singular form (I). Example sentence: “Eu está chovendo hoje.” (It is raining today.)
Exercise 10:
Identify the object in the following sentence:
“Ele comprou flores para __.”
a) Seu amigo (His friend)
b) O livro (The book)
c) O cachorro (The dog)
d) Ela (She)
Answer: a) Seu amigo (His friend)
Explanation: The object in this sentence is who received the flowers, which is “seu amigo” (his friend). Example sentence: “Ele comprou flores para seu amigo.” (He bought flowers for his friend.)
Originally posted 2023-07-19 03:15:51.