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Questions & Answers about A regra é importante.
Why does the sentence use the definite article A before regra?
In Portuguese, the article A means “the” and is used to indicate a specific or understood rule. Just like in English we say “the rule is important,” the definite article clarifies that we’re talking about a particular rule or the general idea of the rule in question.
What is the grammatical function of é in “A regra é importante”?
é is the third-person singular present form of the verb ser. It acts as a linking verb that connects the subject A regra to its descriptive quality importante. In this role, the verb shows that the rule inherently possesses the quality of being important.
Why is the adjective importante placed after the verb instead of directly before the noun regra?
When an adjective follows a linking verb like ser, it functions as a predicate adjective that describes the subject. In “A regra é importante,” importante comes after é to indicate a state or characteristic of A regra. Although some adjectives in Portuguese can be placed before a noun, in predicate constructions the standard order is subject → linking verb → adjective.
Why does importante not change its form to match the feminine noun regra?
Adjectives ending in -e in Portuguese, like importante, are generally gender-neutral and do not change to match the noun’s gender. This means that whether the noun is masculine or feminine, the adjective remains the same.
Why is the verb ser used in this sentence instead of estar?
The verb ser is used to describe inherent, permanent qualities, whereas estar is used for temporary or changing states. Since the importance of a rule is considered an intrinsic and enduring quality, ser (in its form é) is the correct choice.
How does “A regra é importante” illustrate basic sentence structure in Portuguese?
The sentence follows a clear Subject-Verb-Predicate adjective pattern. A regra is the subject, é (the present form of ser) is the linking verb, and importante is the predicate adjective that describes the subject. This structure is similar to English, as seen in “The rule is important,” making it accessible for learners transitioning between the two languages.