Puritans of English grammar often say that a sentence should not end with a preposition, because this was the case with Latin.  These days though, it is generally accepted that this rule does not apply to English, because to follow it requires some verbal gymnastics – for example, whereas we find it quite natural to say ‘he knew what I was talking about’ (which ends with a preposition), if you wanted to phrase that without ending with a preposition, you end up with ‘he knew about what I was talking’.

Sir Winston Churchill is often credited with saying something similar to the following remark: ‘to say that a sentence should not end with a preposition is blatant pedantry, up with which I shall not put!’ – as an ironic example of how ridiculous this rule is when applied to English.

However, as Portuguese is much more closely related to Latin than English, I’m afraid this rule does apply to Portuguese.  This means learning the gymnastics of rewording your sentences so that they do not end with a preposition.  Sorry about that.

Although incorrect use of prepositions will make you sound ‘foreign’ to a Portuguese speaker, you will still generally be understood, so don’t worry about them too much.

Comments

Verbs and prepositions Written by Rhonda Nelson on 2007-06-25 08:51:18 IP: 190.80.29.34 Is it possible for anyone to provide a list of the most used verbs which require the prepostion 'de' after it. I am a student of the language and just came across this rule. A list of these verbs would be very helpful.

Distinction between 'a' and 'para'. Written by Swabi on 2008-02-07 08:59:07 IP: 208.138.26.75 Is there in European Portuguese, as I've found that there is in Brazilian, the distinction between 'a' and 'para' in relation to their denoting destination? In my readings of the Brazilian dialect, I've noted that 'a' is used in reference to a destination from which the subject will return, whilst 'para' is used when the subject intends to stay at the destination. I've not noted anything of the sort with regards to European Portuguese and I'm wondering if maybe I'm missing something.    Excellent site by the way, quite thorough and lucid; things of this calibre generally come with an immense price tag. Please keep up the good work.

A/Para Written by Administrator on 2008-02-07 09:01:43 IP: 80.3.252.130 I have never come across such a distinction in either Brazilian or European Portuguese. Then again, there are lots of things I have never come across!

'A' and 'para' in European Portugues Written by Vasco Reis on 2008-08-18 17:19:54 IP: 81.84.108.73 Hi, Swabi, I am a native Eur. Port. speaker. Here in Portugal, that distinction ought to be made, though many people don't distinguish the two words. Ideally, one would use 'a' for a temporary displacement and 'para' for a (more) permanent one. For instance: 'Vou à loja e depois volto' (I am going to the store and then I'll come back) and 'Vou para o estrangeiro trabalhar' (I'm going abroad to work). The second statement denotes a displacement that is more permanent than the first, if not completely permanent. So, 'a' is associated with vacations, small trips, journeys, etc., while 'para' is associated with moving from a house to another, a country to another and so on.

"A" and "Para" Written by Vanessa on 2008-08-28 14:54:05 IP: 82.69.37.13 It is possible that such difference between "a" and "para" exists in European Portuguese, but as a native Brazilian Portuguese speaker, I can say it does not exist in Brazil. Both prepositions have almost the same use. There is no such thing as permanent or non-permanent trips.

"A" and "para" Written by Krystoffer on 2008-12-31 05:13:59 IP: 189.32.120.249 I agree with Vanessa. As a Brazilian native speaker, I don't really differ between "a" and "para" based on the level of permanence the displacement observes.    I would rather say that the distinction between "a" and "para" in Brazil would be more related to the formality you want to infer to the speech.  "A" sounds a bit more formal than "para", and the latter will almost always replace the former in spoken dialogues, when they refer to displacements. Thus, "vou à aula de inglês" (= I'm going to the English class) and "viajei a Portugal" (= I travelled to Portugal) would be often replaced by "vou PARA a aula de inglês" and "viajei PARA Portugal" in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.    Of course that observation is not valid for other (non-displacement) meanings of "a", such as setting the starting time of an event ("À uma hora" = at one o'clock) or denoting the instrument used ("feito A mão" = handmade; "morto A tiros" = shot to death).

'a" and "para" Written by Sally on 2009-03-12 12:30:40 IP: 82.154.29.237 I am currently attempting to learn Portuguese, in Portugal, with a Portuguese teacher and we've just been covering this topic. Vasco Reis is correct (obviously) about using "a" for temporary and "para" for (more) permanent displacement although exactly when a small trip changes to a long trip has been hotly debated in my class.    "Para" is also used for going to work, "Vou para o banco todos os dias" implies that I work in a bank. Also, "Ela é estudante. Todos os dias ela vai para a escola."

Prepositions and Pronouns Written by Marisa on 2009-07-04 16:08:50 IP: 89.152.105.138 Normally, when saying "Vou perguntar a ele" (I am going to ask him), European portuguese speakers say "Vou perguntar-lhe". A pronoun is used, altough I'm not sure if they do this in Brazil. In the same way, we say "Ele deu-me o livro", and not "Ele deu o livro a mim" (He gave me te book); "Ele perguntou-te se és casado" and not "Ele perguntou a ti se és casado." (He asked you if you are married)

Written by Eileen on 2010-01-17 12:07:31 IP: 195.93.21.106 Sorry, if I seem a bit stupid but I'm an absolute beginner!!! Elsewhere, you made a distinction between "I work" and "I am working". The latter being translated " estou a trabalhar". From the above the Portuguese translation of "I am going to ask him", reads, "Vou perguntar a ele". Why is "Vou" used (i.e I go) instead of "estou a ir" (I am going) ? I know that "estou a ir perguntar a ele" sounds a bit cumbersome (!!!) but am just wondering why you have changed the rules!!! Many thanks, for these wonderful lessons. LoL.

Vou Written by Administrator on 2010-01-19 09:47:20 IP: 81.103.153.54 It's just the way they say it! Literally they say 'I go to ask him'. 'Estou a ir' would mean you are literally getting up and going somewhere to ask him. No particular reason for it, other than perhaps being easier to say.

'por' or 'para'? Written by Tim & Jude Bull on 2010-02-21 10:19:22 IP: 85.244.117.74 My wife and I have lived in Portugal for over six months and we have Portuguese lessons every week. Why are we still so confused over the use of 'por' and 'para'? Our teachers have tried to explain by example and general rules, but different text books seem to give different explanations. There appear to be a number of specific examples where one should use one or the other, but no clear rule. Help!

por or para Written by Administrator on 2010-02-22 08:45:11 IP: 81.103.153.54 I'm afraid there is no clear rule as far as I am aware. In some cases they may be interchangable, in others, one or the other is used, but I think it is just one of those things you have to get used to by exposure.

Write Comment
Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Please keep your comment SHORT and to the point. If I think your comment might cause offense, or does not add any value, I will not publish it. If you are a Brazilian who wants to learn English, please DO NOT post a comment here. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. If you enter your e-mail address it will NOT be published on this site, but it will enable us to contact you if necessary.
Name:
E-mail
Title:
Comment:
Code:*

Powered by AkoComment!