Learning a new language can be both an exciting and challenging journey. Portuguese, with its melodious intonations and Latin roots, is a language that has fascinated many. One of the fundamental aspects of mastering Portuguese is understanding verb agreements, especially when dealing with plural subjects. Just like in English, verbs in Portuguese must agree with their subjects in both number and person. This article aims to provide a detailed overview of verb agreements with plural subjects in Portuguese, helping you to navigate this essential aspect of grammar with ease.
The Basics of Verb Conjugation in Portuguese
Before diving into plural subject agreements, it’s important to grasp the basics of verb conjugation in Portuguese. Portuguese verbs are categorized into three conjugation groups based on their infinitive endings: -ar, -er, and -ir. Each group follows a specific pattern when conjugated. For instance:
– The verb “falar” (to speak) belongs to the -ar group.
– The verb “comer” (to eat) belongs to the -er group.
– The verb “partir” (to leave) belongs to the -ir group.
To make verbs agree with their subjects, you need to modify their endings according to the subject pronoun. Here is a brief look at the present tense conjugation for each group:
– **Falar**: eu falo, tu falas, ele/ela fala, **nós falamos**, **vós falais**, **eles/elas falam**
– **Comer**: eu como, tu comes, ele/ela come, **nós comemos**, **vós comeis**, **eles/elas comem**
– **Partir**: eu parto, tu partes, ele/ela parte, **nós partimos**, **vós partis**, **eles/elas partem**
As you can see, the verb endings change to agree with the subject pronoun. For plural subjects, we focus on the forms for “nós” (we) and “eles/elas” (they).
Plural Subject Pronouns
In Portuguese, the plural subject pronouns are:
– **Nós** (we)
– **Vós** (you all) – Note: “vós” is rarely used in contemporary Portuguese and is mostly found in literature or formal contexts.
– **Vocês** (you all)
– **Eles/Elas** (they)
It’s important to note that “vocês” is widely used in everyday conversation instead of “vós” for the plural form of “you.” However, both forms require the same verb agreement.
Agreement with “Nós”
When the subject of the sentence is “nós,” the verb must be conjugated to match this pronoun. The conjugation pattern for “nós” typically ends in -amos for -ar verbs, -emos for -er verbs, and -imos for -ir verbs. Here are some examples:
1. **Falar** (to speak)
– Nós falamos português. (We speak Portuguese.)
2. **Comer** (to eat)
– Nós comemos pão. (We eat bread.)
3. **Partir** (to leave)
– Nós partimos cedo. (We leave early.)
In these sentences, the verbs “falar,” “comer,” and “partir” are modified to agree with the subject pronoun “nós.”
Agreement with “Vocês” and “Eles/Elas”
For the plural subjects “vocês” and “eles/elas,” the verb endings differ from those used with “nós.” Generally, the pattern for these pronouns is -am for -ar verbs, -em for -er verbs, and -em for -ir verbs. Here are some examples:
1. **Falar** (to speak)
– Vocês falam muito rápido. (You all speak very fast.)
– Eles falam inglês e espanhol. (They speak English and Spanish.)
2. **Comer** (to eat)
– Vocês comem muita fruta. (You all eat a lot of fruit.)
– Elas comem juntas todos os dias. (They eat together every day.)
3. **Partir** (to leave)
– Vocês partem amanhã. (You all leave tomorrow.)
– Eles partem para o trabalho cedo. (They leave for work early.)
These examples illustrate how the verbs “falar,” “comer,” and “partir” change to match the plural subjects “vocês” and “eles/elas.”
Special Cases and Irregular Verbs
While regular verbs follow predictable patterns, irregular verbs can present some challenges. These verbs do not follow the standard conjugation rules and require memorization. Here are a few common irregular verbs and their conjugations with plural subjects:
1. **Ser** (to be)
– Nós somos amigos. (We are friends.)
– Vocês são estudantes. (You all are students.)
– Eles são médicos. (They are doctors.)
2. **Ter** (to have)
– Nós temos um carro. (We have a car.)
– Vocês têm muitas perguntas. (You all have many questions.)
– Elas têm dois gatos. (They have two cats.)
3. **Ir** (to go)
– Nós vamos ao parque. (We go to the park.)
– Vocês vão ao cinema. (You all go to the cinema.)
– Eles vão viajar amanhã. (They are going to travel tomorrow.)
These irregular verbs deviate from regular conjugation patterns, but with practice, you can become familiar with their forms.
Compound Tenses
In Portuguese, compound tenses such as the present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect are formed using auxiliary verbs (usually “ter” or “haver”) followed by the past participle of the main verb. The auxiliary verb must agree with the plural subject. Here are some examples:
1. **Present Perfect** (using “ter”)
– Nós temos estudado muito. (We have been studying a lot.)
– Vocês têm trabalhado duro. (You all have been working hard.)
– Eles têm viajado frequentemente. (They have been traveling frequently.)
2. **Past Perfect** (using “ter”)
– Nós tínhamos terminado o trabalho. (We had finished the work.)
– Vocês tinham chegado cedo. (You all had arrived early.)
– Elas tinham saído antes da chuva. (They had left before the rain.)
3. **Future Perfect** (using “ter”)
– Nós teremos concluído o projeto. (We will have completed the project.)
– Vocês terão aprendido a lição. (You all will have learned the lesson.)
– Eles terão partido antes do amanhecer. (They will have left before dawn.)
In these compound tenses, the auxiliary verb “ter” is conjugated to match the plural subject, while the past participle remains unchanged.
Reflexive Verbs
Reflexive verbs indicate that the subject performs an action on itself. In Portuguese, reflexive verbs use reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, vos, se) that must agree with the subject. Here are some examples with plural subjects:
1. **Lavar-se** (to wash oneself)
– Nós nos lavamos todas as manhãs. (We wash ourselves every morning.)
– Vocês se lavam depois do exercício. (You all wash yourselves after exercise.)
– Elas se lavam antes de dormir. (They wash themselves before sleeping.)
2. **Vestir-se** (to dress oneself)
– Nós nos vestimos rapidamente. (We dress ourselves quickly.)
– Vocês se vestem para a festa. (You all dress yourselves for the party.)
– Eles se vestem formalmente. (They dress themselves formally.)
Here, the reflexive pronouns “nos” and “se” are used to match the plural subjects “nós,” “vocês,” and “eles/elas.”
Common Mistakes and Tips
Mastering verb agreements with plural subjects in Portuguese can be tricky, and learners often make common mistakes. Here are some tips to help you avoid these pitfalls:
1. **Pay Attention to Pronouns**: Always ensure that the verb ending matches the subject pronoun. For example, don’t mix up “nós” (we) with “eles” (they).
2. **Practice Irregular Verbs**: Since irregular verbs do not follow standard patterns, practice them separately. Use flashcards or verb conjugation apps to reinforce your memory.
3. **Use Context Clues**: If you’re unsure about the correct verb form, use context clues from the sentence to help you determine the appropriate conjugation.
4. **Listen and Repeat**: Listening to native speakers and repeating sentences can help reinforce correct verb agreements. Pay attention to how verbs change with different subjects.
5. **Write Regularly**: Practice writing sentences with plural subjects and verb agreements. This will help solidify your understanding and improve your accuracy.
Conclusion
Understanding verb agreements with plural subjects in Portuguese is a crucial step in mastering the language. By familiarizing yourself with the conjugation patterns for regular verbs, practicing irregular verbs, and paying attention to special cases such as compound tenses and reflexive verbs, you can enhance your proficiency in Portuguese. Remember to practice regularly, use context clues, and listen to native speakers to reinforce your learning. With dedication and effort, you’ll be able to navigate verb agreements with confidence and accuracy.
Happy learning!
