Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Eu acho que é necessário descansar.

Acho is the first person singular form of the verb achar, meaning “to think.” In this context, it clearly shows that the speaker is giving their personal opinion.

Why is the subject pronoun Eu included even though acho already implies the first person?

In Portuguese, subject pronouns are often dropped because the verb conjugation makes the subject clear. However, including Eu can add emphasis or clarity. In this sentence, it reinforces that the speaker is the one expressing the opinion.

What role does que play in the sentence?

Que functions as a conjunction linking the main clause (Eu acho) with the subordinate clause (é necessário descansar). It is equivalent to the English “that” in the sentence “I think that it is necessary to rest.”

How does the phrase é necessário descansar work grammatically?

The phrase é necessário descansar uses an impersonal construction. Here, é is the third person singular of ser (to be), necessário is an adjective meaning “necessary,” and descansar is the infinitive form of “to rest.” Together, they express a general necessity without assigning the action to a specific subject.

Why is descansar left in the infinitive form rather than being conjugated?

In Portuguese, after expressions like “é necessário” (it is necessary), the following verb is typically kept in the infinitive form. This structure emphasizes the action in general rather than linking it to a particular subject performing it.

How is this construct similar to English, and why might it be used in both languages?

Both Portuguese and English often use a similar structure to express opinions or necessities. In English, you’d say “I think that it is necessary to rest,” where the subordinate clause uses the form “is necessary” followed by the base form of the verb “to rest.” This format in both languages clearly separates the opinion being expressed from the general statement about what is necessary.