Breakdown of Eu vou descansar assim que terminar o exame.
eu
I
ir
to go
descansar
to rest
o exame
the exam
terminar
to finish
assim que
as soon as
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Questions & Answers about Eu vou descansar assim que terminar o exame.
What is the English translation of Eu vou descansar assim que terminar o exame?
It translates to "I will rest as soon as I finish the exam." Even though the meaning is already shown, it’s always good to check that each element has been understood correctly.
Why is the future action expressed with "vou descansar" instead of using a simple future tense like "descansarei"?
Portuguese commonly uses the periphrastic construction with "ir" + infinitive (in this case, "vou descansar") to express future plans or intentions, especially in everyday and informal language. Although "descansarei" (simple future) is grammatically correct, "vou descansar" tends to be more natural in colloquial speech.
Why does the clause "assim que terminar o exame" use the form "terminar" rather than a directly conjugated future form?
When introducing subordinate clauses that refer to a future event—using conjunctions like "assim que"—Portuguese employs the future subjunctive mood. For regular -ar verbs like terminar, the future subjunctive form is identical to the base (infinitive without a personal ending). Although it looks like the infinitive, it functions as the future subjunctive here.
What role does the phrase "assim que" play in the sentence?
"Assim que" is a conjunction meaning "as soon as". It links the main clause (stating the intention to rest) with the subordinate clause (specifying the condition under which the resting will occur, i.e., right after the exam is finished).
Why is there no explicit subject in the subordinate clause "terminar o exame"?
In Portuguese, if the subject in the subordinate clause is the same as in the main clause (here, "eu"), it is common and acceptable to omit it. The subject is understood from the context, making the sentence more concise.
Are there any notable differences between European and Brazilian Portuguese regarding this future construction?
Both European and Brazilian Portuguese widely use the "ir" + infinitive construction to express future intentions and follow the same rule of using the future subjunctive after time conjunctions like "assim que". While usage nuances and formality levels can differ between the two variants, the structure of this sentence is common and standard in both dialects.