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Ele apenas trabalha no computador.

Ele apenas trabalha no computador.
He only works on the computer.
FromLesson 7inHardcore Portuguese (Portugal)

Breakdown of Ele apenas trabalha no computador.

ele
he
em
in
trabalhar
to work
o computador
the computer
apenas
only

Questions & Answers about Ele apenas trabalha no computador.

What does apenas mean in this sentence?
Apenas translates to "only" or "just". It emphasizes that nothing is done besides working on the computer.
Why is the contraction no used before computador?
No is a contraction of "em" (meaning "on" or "in") and "o" (the masculine singular form of "the"). So, "no computador" literally means "on the computer."
Is it acceptable to replace apenas with somente without changing the meaning?
Yes, in this context apenas and somente are synonyms, both meaning "only". Replacing one with the other would not change the sentence’s meaning.
What is the role of trabalha in this sentence?
Trabalha is the third person singular form of the verb "trabalhar" (to work). It indicates that ele (he) is doing the action of working on the computer.
Does the placement of apenas affect the meaning or emphasis of the sentence?
Yes, positioning apenas immediately after the subject highlights that the only activity he performs is working on the computer. While adverbs can sometimes move within a sentence for different emphases, this placement is typical and clear in Portuguese.
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