Portuguese grammar · Upper intermediate (B2)
Connectors and discourse markers
Linking words for writing (além disso, no entanto, portanto, contudo), markers for speech (né, tipo, aí, pois é) and conjunctions with the subjunctive.
Everyday and formal connectors
Connectors show how ideas relate. Many have an everyday form and a more formal one. Formal ones such as , , and can start a sentence or sit after the first words, between commas: .
Two traps: at the start of a sentence means “therefore” in formal writing, but elsewhere it means “soon” (). means “however” in Brazil; in Portugal it often means “meanwhile”.
| Meaning | Everyday | Formal |
|---|---|---|
| adding | , | , |
| contrast | , | , , , , |
| two sides | ||
| cause | , , | , |
| result | , | , , |
| rephrasing | , | , |
| summing up | , | , |
Conjunctions with the subjunctive
Some conjunctions always take the subjunctive. The most important is (although), which takes it even when the fact is true: (Although I'm tired, I'm going out). does the same job with a noun or an infinitive: , .
The others are mostly about conditions, purpose and time. The tense follows the main verb: present subjunctive after a present, imperfect subjunctive after a past ().
| Conjunction | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| , | although | (Although it's expensive, it's worth it.) |
| even if | (Even if it rains, we're going.) | |
| it's not that | (It's not that I don't want to, I just can't.) | |
| , | so that | (I speak slowly so that everyone understands.) |
| in case, if | (If you need me, I'm here.) | |
| provided that | (You can use the car as long as you bring it back tomorrow.) | |
| , | unless | (I'll leave at six, unless it rains.) |
| before | (Let's go before it gets dark.) | |
| without | (He left without anyone noticing.) |
Cause and effect
, (thanks to) and go before a noun: . and introduce a result with a normal verb. + subjunctive means “to cause, to make something happen”: .
- Devido ao mau tempo, o voo foi cancelado.Due to the bad weather, the flight was cancelled.
- Graças ao vento constante, a região gera muita energia.Thanks to the steady wind, the region generates a lot of energy.
- A energia é armazenada, de modo que não falta à noite.The energy is stored, so there's no shortage at night.
- O novo sistema faz com que a conta de luz fique mais barata.The new system makes the electricity bill cheaper.
Organising a talk or a text
Signposting tells your audience or reader where you are: (first of all), (next), (also), or (finally), (as you can see), (it's worth pointing out that), (to conclude).
- Em primeiro lugar, quero agradecer a presença de todos.First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming.
- Em seguida, vou mostrar alguns números.Next, I'm going to show you some figures.
- Como vocês podem ver, as vendas dobraram.As you can see, sales have doubled.
- Por fim, vale destacar o papel dos agricultores.Finally, it's worth highlighting the farmers' role.
Markers in conversation
Spoken Brazilian Portuguese is full of small words that keep a conversation flowing. They are natural and friendly in speech, but don't use them in formal writing.
| Marker | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| right?, isn't it? (from ) | (It's hot today, isn't it?) | |
| like, sort of, for example | (He got here at like midnight.) | |
| and then, so | (So then I talked to the boss.) | |
| so, well | (So, what do you think?) | |
| yeah, I know, exactly | (— It's so hot! — I know.) | |
| you know? | (I got nervous, you know?) | |
| I mean | (He's annoying, I mean, he's a bit difficult.) | |
| actually | (Actually, I didn't even want to go.) | |
| anyway | (Anyway, it all worked out.) | |
| look, well | (Look, I don't know.) |