Introduction

To understand the structure of language in general, it is necessary to be able to identify the different types of word that make up a sentence.  Strictly speaking, sentences are made up of 'clauses', clauses are made up of 'phrases', and phrases are made up of words, but don't worry about this – for the purposes of these exercises, we will ignore phrases and clauses, and just refer to words and sentences because this is more understandable to the average reader (well, to me at least).

I received a normal secondary school education in the UK during the 1980's, and I scored pretty high marks in English.  However, when I left school, I would have been hard pressed to tell you what an adverb is.  They just don't teach grammar in UK schools (or at least they didn't when I was there).

I will therefore assume that you, as a reader are completely unaware of the difference between nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, pronouns, etc.  Apologies if any of these articles sound patronising, but if, like me, you didn't learn this stuff at school, then this will all be uncharted territory...

Comments

This is a good starting point Written by Foleypt on 2006-06-19 11:52:32 IP: 80.3.128.8 Like you I am learning Portuguese without much understanding of English grammer, so stuff esp. tenses can get me quite messed up. I am interested to see how the rest of this course goes.

Thank you Written by Odette on 2007-09-23 06:10:27 IP: 82.154.82.39 Just had a quick peep at your course. Well I can see you have put a lot of hours in this, and thanks. But yes I was educated in a South African School and I was taught grammer but I still find it hard to define a verb and a noun. Thanks so much for your hard work. I shall enjoy learning Portuguese. Regards, Odette

Ms Written by Heather Moffett on 2007-11-17 19:08:23 IP: 91.84.177.16 I went to one of the oldest grammar schools in the UK (rather longer ago than I care to admit or remember!) and was taught little actual grammar, at least, not in a way that I understood or absorbed. But then again, I was not a very diligent scholar!     But heck, I sure wish I had a) either been taught, or b) if I was taught it, had actually taken notice! It would make learning other languages so much easier!

Can you recommend a good book on Portugu Written by Joan on 2008-08-28 14:36:23 IP: 92.41.147.10 Your site is excellent and thorough in its coverage of Portuguese grammar.    Can you, however, recommend a book on Portuguese grammar? I use a book called "An Essential Course in Modern Spanish Grammar" by H. Ramsden. Is there a Portuguese book in this series? "An Essential Course in Modern Spanish Grammar" was a book used by schools in the UK to prepare students for what was then GCE 'O' Level Spanish. It is an excellent book. I should like an equivalent book on Portuguese grammar. Can you help?    Muito obrigada,    Joan

Grammar Book Written by Administrator on 2008-08-28 14:58:52 IP: 81.105.190.109 I have found Sonia Althoff's grammar book to be very useful, even though it is Brazilian: http://www.sonia-portuguese.com/Order/book.htm (and I don't get any commission for saying that! )

Verbs, adverbs, pronouns etc ... Written by Charles Mwiyeretsi on 2009-05-28 10:38:45 IP: 81.199.24.18 Ola, Como estas amigas!!    Brilliant site. Just outta curiosity, I couldn't name one person who knows the difference between those words. Just one of those things you shoulda coulda have paid more attention to in school had Mary Jane, your deskmate, not decided to "forget" to button her shirt past her bra.   Tut tut.  Did I mention you how much I'm loving this website? Great work mate. I consider you the Mother Theresa of Portuguese, having worked so hard to ensure we impoverished linguists have a share.     Obrigadas

getting back! Written by Aman on 2010-04-07 08:44:10 IP: 92.239.161.66 Hi,  I'm returning to use ur site, after being absent for year! You are a genious teacher, then! The way you teach this language here is a pretty valuable job. I am doing Portuguese and Spanish as degree, but belive me our department's staff for Portuguese section dont know how to teach us this language! we're sooon going to graduate but, none of us talking well Portuguese, which is a shame! Os melhores desejos!!

Your Site Written by David on 2010-08-05 04:50:58 IP: 144.137.9.234 I'm an analytic and I LOVE this site. Great work! Thank you.

Written by olayinka, A on 2011-02-13 14:03:45 IP: 82.128.56.209 i find your starting point easy and interesting. though i am a masters degree holder in english lang and literature and even teach english at a tertiary institution so that am quite familiar with all the terms, all the same the way you started is quite encouraging to people like me trying to learn portuguese. in German we say prima!

Gostaria de vs Queria Written by Adelaide on 2011-03-27 15:37:16 IP: 142.179.224.177 Not sure which section to post this question, so will stick it here, and hope you can answer it for me. You have bee very helpful in the past, and I do appreciate it.  How can one tell when to use "gostaria de" and when to use "queria"? From the Byki course I am taking, I can see no difference. Is it a matter of choice or preference?   Please help me if you can.   Thanks.

Gostaria de/Queria Written by Administrator on 2011-03-27 15:38:57 IP: 213.107.108.12 Technically, 'gostaria de' means 'would you like to' and 'queria' means 'would you want to', but for practical purposes, they both carry exactly the same meaning. I think gostaria sounds a little more formal and polite than queria, but as far as I am aware they are pretty much interchangable.

Thanks once again Written by Adelaide on 2011-03-29 00:46:22 IP: 142.179.224.177 Y'know, I do so appreciate the way you answer my questions so well, and so quickly. Thank you so much!

Muito obrigado Written by sana' on 2012-01-18 10:50:37 IP: 213.186.175.245 i deiced to learn Portuguese just to spend my holiday in sth good .. i'm 16 years old ...  and i loved this excellent site ...  it helps me a lot .. thank you ^_^

Portuguese DE Operator Written by Amy on 2012-07-16 13:33:28 IP: 195.33.116.97 Thanmk you very much for such a site. I learnt Portuguese living in Mozambique. I would like to further my knowledge and think your site is an excellent opportunity.

Thanks Written by Jen on 2012-09-12 22:35:12 IP: 67.204.208.247 I have been slowly learning Portuguese on a few other web sites, but, none of them seem to teach the grammar needed to form proper sentences, etc. Learning single words is fine, but, I need to know how to piece everything together in proper grammatical form if I am ever to communicate fluently. I am hoping this site helps me figure out the grammar. If it works well for me, I will leave a note.

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