Brazilian Portuguese Grammar

Aspect & verb phrases

Aspect or modality denotes the manner actions take place, which is usually expressed in Portuguese by the means of verb phrases. Below are some common verb phrases and their meanings in English:

Aspect	Structure	Example	Meaning	Remarks
Progressive aspect	Verb estar followed by verbs in the gerund.	Eu estou estudando latim e grego.	I am studying Latin and Greek.	Actions in progress right now or around now.
		Ela estava lendo quando ele chegou.	She was reading when he arrived.	Actions that were in progress (background actions) when something else happened.
		Ele estavam comendo pipoca e jogando xadrez.	They were eating popcorn and playing chess.	Simultaneous actions.

Perfective aspect	Verb acabar de followed by verbs in the (impersonal) infinitive.	Ele acabou de chegar.	He has just arrived.	Actions that have just happened (recent past actions).

Causative aspect	Verb fazer followed by verbs in the (impersonal) infinitive.	A sua proposta me fez pensar no futuro.	Your proposal made me think of the future.	Verb fazer means to cause.
Causative aspect	*Verb fazer followed by a noun clause usually introduced by preposition com.*	Fiz com que ela se sentisse melhor.	I made her feel better.	Verb fazer means to cause.

Obligation or necessity	Verb ter que followed by verbs in the (impersonal) infinitive.	Ele tem que aprender português porque vai se mudar para Porto Alegre no fim do ano.	He has to learn Portuguese because he's moving to Porto Alegre at the end of the year.	Verb ter que means have to
Obligation or necessity	Verb precisar followed by verbs in the (impersonal) infinitive.	Ela precisa comprar um suéter novo para o filho.	She needs to buy a new sweater for her son.	Verb precisar means to need.