Brazilian Portuguese Grammar

Orações reduzidas de infinitivo

They are mostly used as an alternative to adverbial clauses (time, reason, purpose and condition) and to noun clauses, e.g:

Portuguese	English
Ele estudou bastante para passar na prova final.	He studied a lot to pass the final test.
Ao chegar ao Brasil, ele encontrou os amigos.	When he arrived in Brazil, he met his friends.
Por estar muito cansado, ele não foi à festa.	Since he was very tired, he didn't go to the party.
É importante aprender línguas estrangeiras.	It's important to learn foreign languages.
Não sei dirigir.	I don't know how to drive.
Ela tem medo de ficar sozinha.	She's afraid of being alone.
Não se esqueça de trancar a porta.	Don't forget to lock the door.
Estudar é se tornar um ser humano melhor.	To study is to become a better human being.