Brazilian Portuguese Grammar
| Aspect | Structure | Example | Meaning | Remarks |
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Possibility
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Verb phrase pode ser + que + clause with a verb in the presente do subjuntivo. |
Pode ser que chova amanhä.
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It may or might rain tomorrow.
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Pode ser que eles comprem um carro novo.
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They may or might buy a new car.
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Adverb talvez + verb in the subjunctive mood.
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Talvez chova amanhã.
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Maybe it will rain tomorrow.
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Talvez eles comprassem um carro novo.
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Maybe they would buy a new car.
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Prohibition
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Verb poder in the negative followed by verbs in the (impersonal) infinitive.
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Ele não pode dirigir porque não tem carteira de habilitação. | He can't drive because he doesn't have a driver's license. | |
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É proibido + verb in the (impersonal) infinitive.
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É proibido dirigir com menos de dezesseis anos.
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You mustn't drive under sixteen years old. or You're not allowed to drive under sixteen years old..
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Result
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Verb acabar por followed by verbs in the (impersonal) infinitive.
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Ele acabou por confessar o crime. | He ended up confessing to the crime. |
Although acabar por + infinitive is the standard form, Brazilians tend to use verb acabar followed by verb in the gerund, e.g.: Ele acabou confessando o crime.
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Verb chegar a followed by verbs in the (impersonal) infinitive.
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Eu cheguei a pensar que estava ficando louco.
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I ended up thinking I was getting crazy.
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