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Questions & Answers about Manter ordem é importante.
What is the role of the infinitive manter in this sentence?
In "Manter ordem é importante," the verb manter (meaning "to maintain") appears in its infinitive form and functions as the subject of the sentence. This is similar to using a gerund in English (as in "maintaining order is important") to express a general, abstract idea.
Why is there no definite article before ordem? Wouldn’t it normally be "a ordem"?
In Portuguese, when referring to general concepts or ideas, it’s common to omit the definite article. In "manter ordem," the noun ordem is used in an abstract sense to mean order in general, rather than a specific, previously mentioned order. Including the article—as in "manter a ordem"—would emphasize a particular instance of order, which isn’t the intention in this general statement.
How is the sentence "Manter ordem é importante" structured grammatically?
The sentence follows a simple structure:
• The subject is the infinitive phrase "manter ordem."
• The verb "é" is the third-person singular form of ser, linking the subject to its attribute.
• The predicate adjective "importante" describes the subject.
This structure is equivalent to the English sentence "Maintaining order is important."
Why is the verb ser used here instead of estar?
The choice of ser (with é as its form) reflects that the statement expresses a general, inherent truth rather than a temporary state. Ser is used in Portuguese to describe essential qualities or permanent characteristics, making it the correct verb choice when saying "maintaining order is important."
Can this sentence be rephrased while keeping the same meaning?
Yes, an alternative construction is "É importante manter a ordem." Here, the predicate "é importante" comes first, followed by the action "manter a ordem." Notice that in this version, the definite article "a" is added to ordem, which can be acceptable when the speaker refers to the concept of order in a slightly more specific way. Both forms effectively communicate the idea that maintaining order is important.