Learning Portuguese can be a rewarding endeavor, especially for English speakers who are keen on exploring the richness of Lusophone cultures. Two grammatical elements that often pose challenges for learners are the gerund and the past participle. Understanding these concepts is crucial for mastering Portuguese verb tenses and improving overall fluency. This article will delve into the intricacies of gerunds and past participles in Portuguese, providing examples and explanations to help you grasp their usage.
Gerund in Portuguese
In Portuguese, the gerund is used to describe ongoing actions or continuous states. It’s equivalent to the English “-ing” form of a verb. The gerund is formed by taking the verb stem and adding the suffix “-ando” for -ar verbs, “-endo” for -er verbs, and “-indo” for -ir verbs.
For example:
– Falando (speaking) from falar (to speak)
– Comendo (eating) from comer (to eat)
– Dormindo (sleeping) from dormir (to sleep)
Usage of Gerund
The gerund in Portuguese is primarily used in three contexts:
1. Continuous Tenses:
The gerund is often used in conjunction with auxiliary verbs like “estar” to form continuous tenses, similar to the present continuous in English.
Examples:
– Eu estou falando. (I am speaking.)
– Eles estão comendo. (They are eating.)
– Nós estamos dormindo. (We are sleeping.)
2. Expressing Simultaneous Actions:
The gerund can also be used to express actions that are happening simultaneously. This is somewhat akin to the English use of “while” or “as.”
Examples:
– Ela saiu chorando. (She left crying.)
– Ele entrou rindo. (He entered laughing.)
3. Forming Adverbial Phrases:
In this context, the gerund can describe how or why an action is performed, giving more information about the verb.
Examples:
– Ele me convenceu falando a verdade. (He convinced me by telling the truth.)
– Ela se machucou correndo. (She hurt herself by running.)
Common Mistakes and Tips
1. Confusing Gerund with Infinitive:
English speakers sometimes confuse the Portuguese gerund with the infinitive form. Remember, the gerund describes ongoing actions, whereas the infinitive is the base form of the verb.
2. Overusing Gerund:
In Portuguese, the gerund is not as commonly used as in English. Often, other verb forms like the simple present or imperfect are more appropriate.
3. Misplacing Gerund in Sentences:
In Portuguese, the placement of the gerund can affect the meaning of the sentence. Be mindful of its position, especially in complex sentences.
Past Participle in Portuguese
The past participle in Portuguese serves as an essential component in various verb tenses and passive voice constructions. It typically ends in “-ado” for -ar verbs and “-ido” for -er and -ir verbs.
For example:
– Falado (spoken) from falar (to speak)
– Comido (eaten) from comer (to eat)
– Dormido (slept) from dormir (to sleep)
Usage of Past Participle
The past participle is used in several contexts, including:
1. Perfect Tenses:
The past participle combines with the auxiliary verb “ter” to form perfect tenses, indicating actions that have been completed.
Examples:
– Eu tenho falado. (I have spoken.)
– Eles tinham comido. (They had eaten.)
– Nós teremos dormido. (We will have slept.)
2. Passive Voice:
The past participle is used with the verb “ser” to form the passive voice, indicating that the subject of the sentence is acted upon.
Examples:
– O livro foi lido por ela. (The book was read by her.)
– A comida será preparada. (The food will be prepared.)
3. Adjectival Use:
The past participle can also function as an adjective, describing a noun.
Examples:
– A porta está aberta. (The door is open.)
– As cartas estão escritas. (The letters are written.)
Irregular Past Participles
Many Portuguese verbs have irregular past participles, which do not follow the standard “-ado” or “-ido” endings. Here are some common irregular past participles:
– Abrir (to open) – aberto (opened)
– Cobrir (to cover) – coberto (covered)
– Dizer (to say) – dito (said)
– Escrever (to write) – escrito (written)
– Fazer (to do/make) – feito (done/made)
– Pôr (to put) – posto (put)
– Ver (to see) – visto (seen)
– Vir (to come) – vindo (come)
Common Mistakes and Tips
1. Confusing Regular and Irregular Forms:
Irregular past participles can be tricky. Make sure to memorize common irregular forms and practice using them in context.
2. Using Past Participle as Present Participle:
Unlike English, Portuguese past participles cannot be used as present participles. For example, “comido” (eaten) cannot replace “comendo” (eating).
3. Agreement in Gender and Number:
When used as adjectives, past participles must agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify.
Examples:
– As portas estão abertas. (The doors are open.)
– Os livros foram escritos. (The books were written.)
Comparing Gerund and Past Participle
Understanding the differences between the gerund and past participle is crucial for Portuguese learners. While the gerund describes ongoing actions, the past participle deals with completed actions or states.
Consider these examples to see the contrast:
– Gerund: Ela está lendo um livro. (She is reading a book.)
– Past Participle: O livro foi lido por ela. (The book was read by her.)
Practical Exercises
To solidify your understanding of gerunds and past participles, try these exercises:
1. Convert the following sentences to use the gerund:
– Eu falo com ele. (I speak with him.)
– Eles comem rapidamente. (They eat quickly.)
– Nós dormimos cedo. (We sleep early.)
Answers:
– Eu estou falando com ele. (I am speaking with him.)
– Eles estão comendo rapidamente. (They are eating quickly.)
– Nós estamos dormindo cedo. (We are sleeping early.)
2. Convert the following sentences to use the past participle:
– Ele abre a porta. (He opens the door.)
– Eles escrevem as cartas. (They write the letters.)
– Ela faz o trabalho. (She does the work.)
Answers:
– A porta foi aberta por ele. (The door was opened by him.)
– As cartas foram escritas por eles. (The letters were written by them.)
– O trabalho foi feito por ela. (The work was done by her.)
Conclusion
Mastering the gerund and past participle in Portuguese is essential for fluent communication. The gerund helps describe ongoing actions, while the past participle deals with completed actions and states. Both forms are integral to various verb tenses and constructions, including the continuous and perfect tenses, passive voice, and adjectival phrases. By understanding their formation, usage, and common pitfalls, you can significantly enhance your Portuguese language skills. Practice regularly, pay attention to irregular forms, and soon you’ll find yourself using these grammatical elements with ease and confidence. Boa sorte (good luck) on your language learning journey!
