Portuguese, like many other languages, uses relative clauses to provide additional information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence. Relative clauses are subordinate clauses that modify a main clause by adding descriptive or identifying details. They allow us to combine multiple ideas into a single sentence, providing clarity and specificity. In this guide, we will explore the basics of Portuguese relative clauses, including their formation, usage, and examples.
Formation of Relative Clauses:
In Portuguese, relative clauses are introduced by a relative pronoun or a relative adverb. The choice of the relative pronoun or adverb depends on the grammatical function it performs within the relative clause. Here are the most commonly used relative pronouns and adverbs in Portuguese:
Relative Pronouns:
Que (that, which, who)
Quem (who, whom)
O qual, a qual, os quais, as quais (which, that)
Cujo, cuja, cujos, cujas (whose)
Relative Adverbs:
Onde (where)
Quando (when)
Como (how)
Por que (why)
The relative pronouns and adverbs are used to refer back to the noun or pronoun that the relative clause modifies. Let’s take a look at some examples to better understand their usage:
Example Sentences:
A mulher que está falando é minha irmã.
(The woman who is speaking is my sister.)
In this example, the relative pronoun “que” is used to introduce the relative clause and refers back to the noun “mulher” (woman). The relative clause “que está falando” (who is speaking) provides additional information about the woman.
O livro que comprei é muito interessante.
(The book that I bought is very interesting.)
Here, the relative pronoun “que” is used to introduce the relative clause and refers back to the noun “livro” (book). The relative clause “que comprei” (that I bought) specifies which book is being referred to and adds information about its purchase.
O lugar onde moro é tranquilo.
(The place where I live is peaceful.)
In this example, the relative adverb “onde” is used to introduce the relative clause and refers back to the noun “lugar” (place). The relative clause “onde moro” (where I live) provides information about the location of the place.
A razão por que ele desistiu ainda é desconhecida.
(The reason why he gave up is still unknown.)
Here, the relative adverb “por que” is used to introduce the relative clause and refers back to the noun “razão” (reason). The relative clause “por que ele desistiu” (why he gave up) explains the reason behind the action.
Usage of Relative Clauses:
Relative clauses serve several purposes in Portuguese sentences. They can be used to describe or identify a noun, provide additional information, or specify a particular noun among others. Let’s explore some common uses of relative clauses:
Descriptive Relative Clauses:
These relative clauses provide descriptive information about a noun. They answer the questions “What kind?” or “Which one?” and can be restrictive or non-restrictive.
Restrictive Relative Clause:
O homem que eu vi é alto.
(The man whom I saw is tall.)
Non-Restrictive Relative Clause:
O homem, que eu vi, é alto.
(The man, whom I saw, is tall.)
In the restrictive example, the relative clause “que eu vi” (whom I saw) is necessary to identify the specific man being referred to. In the non-restrictive example, the relative clause provides additional information but can be omitted without changing the core meaning of the sentence.
Identifying Relative Clauses:
These relative clauses are used to identify a particular noun or pronoun. They answer the question “Which one?” and are usually introduced by the relative pronoun “que.”
O carro que comprei é vermelho.
(The car that I bought is red.)
In this example, the relative clause “que comprei” (that I bought) identifies the specific car among others.
Relative Clauses with Prepositions:
Portuguese allows the use of prepositions before the relative pronouns or adverbs, which adds further specificity to the relative clause.
A pessoa com quem falei é minha amiga.
(The person with whom I spoke is my friend.)
In this example, the preposition “com” (with) is used before the relative pronoun “quem” (whom), creating the relative clause “com quem falei” (with whom I spoke).
Conclusion:
Relative clauses are an important aspect of Portuguese grammar that allows us to provide additional information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence. By using relative pronouns or adverbs, we can introduce these clauses and create more descriptive and precise sentences. Whether it is to describe, identify, or provide specific details, relative clauses play a crucial role in Portuguese language construction. By understanding the formation and usage of relative clauses, beginners can enhance their ability to communicate effectively in Portuguese.
quick quiz
Exercise 1:
Choose the correct relative pronoun to complete the sentence:
A casa _ eu moro é grande.
a) onde
b) que
c) quem
d) cujo
Answer: a) onde
Explanation: The sentence requires a relative pronoun to introduce a relative clause that describes the place where the speaker lives. The correct choice is “onde,” which means “where” in English.
Example sentence: A casa onde eu moro é grande. (The house where I live is big.)
Exercise 2:
Identify the type of relative clause used in the following sentence:
A pessoa, que é minha irmã, está chegando.
a) Descriptive relative clause (non-restrictive)
b) Identifying relative clause
c) Descriptive relative clause (restrictive)
d) Relative clause with preposition
Answer: a) Descriptive relative clause (non-restrictive)
Explanation: In this sentence, the relative clause “que é minha irmã” provides additional information about the person but can be omitted without changing the core meaning of the sentence. Therefore, it is a non-restrictive descriptive relative clause.
Example sentence: A pessoa, que é minha irmã, está chegando. (The person, who is my sister, is arriving.)
Exercise 3:
Select the appropriate relative pronoun to complete the sentence:
O livro, __ eu li, era muito emocionante.
a) cujo
b) que
c) onde
d) como
Answer: b) que
Explanation: The sentence requires a relative pronoun to introduce a relative clause that provides information about the book that the speaker read. The correct choice is “que,” which means “that” or “which” in English.
Example sentence: O livro, que eu li, era muito emocionante. (The book that I read was very exciting.)
Exercise 4:
Choose the correct relative adverb to complete the sentence:
A cidade _ moro é bonita.
a) como
b) quando
c) por que
d) onde
Answer: d) onde
Explanation: The sentence requires a relative adverb to introduce a relative clause that describes the place where the speaker lives. The correct choice is “onde,” which means “where” in English.
Example sentence: A cidade onde moro é bonita. (The city where I live is beautiful.)
Exercise 5:
Identify the type of relative clause used in the following sentence:
A menina que ganhou o prêmio é minha amiga.
a) Descriptive relative clause (non-restrictive)
b) Identifying relative clause
c) Descriptive relative clause (restrictive)
d) Relative clause with preposition
Answer: c) Descriptive relative clause (restrictive)
Explanation: In this sentence, the relative clause “que ganhou o prêmio” is necessary to identify the specific girl who won the prize. Therefore, it is a restrictive descriptive relative clause.
Example sentence: A menina que ganhou o prêmio é minha amiga. (The girl who won the prize is my friend.)
Exercise 6:
Select the appropriate relative pronoun to complete the sentence:
O carro _ eu dirigi era rápido.
a) cuja
b) como
c) onde
d) que
Answer: d) que
Explanation: The sentence requires a relative pronoun to introduce a relative clause that provides information about the car that the speaker drove. The correct choice is “que,” which means “that” or “which” in English.
Example sentence: O carro que eu dirigi era rápido. (The car that I drove was fast.)
Exercise 7:
Choose the correct relative adverb to complete the sentence:
O momento _ conhecemos foi inesquecível.
a) como
b) onde
c) por que
d) quando
Answer: d) quando
Explanation: The sentence requires a relative adverb to introduce a relative clause that describes the moment or time when the speaker and someone else met. The correct choice is “quando,” which means “when” in English.
Example sentence: O momento quando nos conhecemos foi inesquecível. (The moment when we met was unforgettable.)
Exercise 8:
Identify the type of relative clause used in the following sentence:
O cachorro, que está dormindo, é muito fofo.
a) Descriptive relative clause (non-restrictive)
b) Identifying relative clause
c) Descriptive relative clause (restrictive)
d) Relative clause with preposition
Answer: c) Descriptive relative clause (restrictive)
Explanation: In this sentence, the relative clause “que está dormindo” is necessary to identify the specific dog being referred to. Therefore, it is a restrictive descriptive relative clause.
Example sentence: O cachorro, que está dormindo, é muito fofo. (The dog that is sleeping is very cute.)
Exercise 9:
Select the appropriate relative pronoun to complete the sentence:
A empresa, __ eu trabalho, é líder no mercado.
a) cujo
b) que
c) quem
d) onde
Answer: b) que
Explanation: The sentence requires a relative pronoun to introduce a relative clause that provides information about the company where the speaker works. The correct choice is “que,” which means “that” or “which” in English.
Example sentence: A empresa, que eu trabalho, é líder no mercado. (The company that I work for is a market leader.)
Exercise 10:
Choose the correct relative adverb to complete the sentence:
O motivo _ ele desistiu ainda é desconhecido.
a) como
b) quando
c) por que
d) onde
Answer: c) por que
Explanation: The sentence requires a relative adverb to introduce a relative clause that explains the reason behind the action of giving up. The correct choice is “por que,” which means “why” in English.
Example sentence: O motivo por que ele desistiu ainda é desconhecido. (The reason why he gave up is still unknown.)
Originally posted 2023-07-19 03:38:39.