Portuguese Sentence Structure
Introduction
Portuguese sentence structure follows a similar pattern to English, with the basic order being Subject-Verb-Object (SVO). This means that the subject typically comes first, followed by the verb, and then the object. However, like many Romance languages, Portuguese also allows for flexibility in sentence structure, especially for emphasis or stylistic reasons.
Basic Sentence Structure
Subject-Verb-Object (SVO)
The most common sentence structure in Portuguese is the SVO order:
- Subject (S): The person or thing performing the action.
- Verb (V): The action or state of being.
- Object (O): The person or thing receiving the action.
Examples
- Eu como maçã.
- Ele gosta de música.
- Nós estudamos português.
Verb-Subject Agreement
In Portuguese, verbs must agree with the subject in both number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third). This means that the verb conjugation changes depending on who is performing the action.
Examples of Verb-Subject Agreement
- Eu escrevo uma carta.
- Tu escreves uma carta.
- Ela escreve uma carta.
- Nós escrevemos uma carta.
- Eles escrevem uma carta.
Flexible Sentence Structure
While the SVO structure is the standard, Portuguese allows for flexibility, especially for emphasis or when using certain types of sentences like questions or commands.
Emphasis or Stylistic Variations
- Objetos grandes, ela compra.
- Hoje vou ao mercado.
Questions
In Portuguese, questions can often follow the same SVO structure, but intonation changes, and sometimes the structure can shift to VSO (Verb-Subject-Object) for emphasis or clarity.
- Você vai ao mercado?
- Translation: Are you going to the market?
- Structure: Subject-Verb-Object with a rising intonation.
- Vai você ao mercado?
- Translation: Are you going to the market?
- Structure: Verb-Subject-Object (VSO) for emphasis or formality.
Commands
Commands or imperative sentences often omit the subject, and the verb takes a specific conjugation.
- Come a maçã!
- Translation: Eat the apple!
- Structure: Verb-Object (subject "you" is implied)
- Escreva a carta.
- Translation: Write the letter.
- Structure: Verb-Object (imperative form)
Common Sentence Structures
Here are some common sentence structures in Portuguese along with examples:
1. Subject + Verb
- Ela dorme.
- Translation: She sleeps.
- Structure: The sentence consists of only a subject and a verb, indicating a complete action.
2. Subject + Verb + Object
- Ele lê um livro.
- Translation: He reads a book.
- Structure: The object "um livro" (a book) receives the action of the verb.
3. Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object
- Eu dou um presente ao amigo.
- Translation: I give a present to the friend.
- Structure: The indirect object "ao amigo" (to the friend) indicates to whom the direct object is given.
4. Subject + Verb + Adjective
- A casa é grande.
- Translation: The house is big.
- Structure: The adjective "grande" (big) describes the subject.
5. Subject + Verb + Adverb
- Ele corre rapidamente.
- Translation: He runs quickly.
- Structure: The adverb "rapidamente" (quickly) modifies the verb "corre" (runs).
6. Adjective + Noun (for Emphasis)
- Interessante, o livro é.
- Translation: Interesting, the book is.
- Structure: This structure places emphasis on the adjective, making the sentence more stylistic or dramatic.
7. Noun + Adjective
- Uma casa bonita
- Translation: A beautiful house
- Structure: In Portuguese, adjectives usually follow the noun, although they can precede it for emphasis or stylistic reasons.
Common Examples
Here are some common examples of sentences with proper word order and verb-subject agreement:
Simple Declarative Sentences
- O gato bebe leite.
- Maria cozinha o jantar.
- Eles jogam futebol no parque.
Sentences with Adjectives
- O carro é vermelho.
- A menina está feliz.
Sentences with Adverbs
- João fala lentamente.
- Nós chegamos cedo.
Comparison Table: Portuguese vs. English
| Portuguese | English | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| A professora ensina inglês. | The teacher teaches English. | Subject-Verb-Object |
| O cachorro corre rápido. | The dog runs quickly. | Subject-Verb-Adverb |
| Meu irmão tem um carro novo. | My brother has a new car. | Subject-Verb-Object |
| Ela canta uma música bonita. | She sings a beautiful song. | Subject-Verb-Object |
| O livro está na mesa. | The book is on the table. | Subject-Verb-Prepositional Phrase |
| Nós visitamos nossos avós. | We visit our grandparents. | Subject-Verb-Object |
Conclusion
Understanding the basic sentence structure in Portuguese—Subject-Verb-Object—along with the rules of verb-subject agreement, is essential for constructing clear and grammatically correct sentences. While the SVO structure provides a foundation, being aware of the flexibility and variations allowed in Portuguese will help you communicate more effectively and naturally.