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Questions & Answers about A pronúncia é boa.
What does the article A represent in this sentence?
A is the feminine singular definite article in Portuguese, equivalent to "the" in English. It’s used here because pronúncia is a feminine noun.
What does pronúncia mean?
Pronúncia translates to "pronunciation" in English, referring to the way in which words are spoken.
Why is é used in this sentence, and what does it signify?
É is the third person singular form of the verb ser, which means "is." In this sentence, it links the subject A pronúncia with the adjective boa, indicating that good pronunciation is an inherent or defining quality.
How is the sentence structured grammatically?
The sentence follows a basic Subject-Verb-Predicate structure:
• Subject: A pronúncia
• Verb: é
• Predicate/Adjective: boa
This mirrors the English sentence "The pronunciation is good."
How is the adjective boa used, and is its position similar to English?
Boa means good and functions as the predicate adjective linked by the verb é. In Portuguese, the adjective used to describe an inherent quality typically follows the verb, much like in English when using a linking verb (e.g., "is good").
Can I use the verb estar instead of ser in this sentence?
No, you should not. In Portuguese, ser is used to describe inherent, permanent qualities, while estar is used for temporary or changeable conditions. Since having good pronunciation is considered an inherent quality, é (from ser) is the correct choice.