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Questions & Answers about Detalhe é importante.
Why is there no article before detalhe in the sentence Detalhe é importante?
In Portuguese, when making a general statement about an abstract concept, it's common to omit the article. Here, detalhe refers to the idea of detail as a quality rather than a specific instance, much like the English expression "Detail is important" instead of "The detail is important."
How does the verb é function in this sentence?
É is the third-person singular form of the verb ser, which means "to be." In the sentence, it connects the subject detalhe with the adjective importante, asserting that the nature of detail inherently includes importance.
Does the adjective importante change to match the noun detalhe in gender or number?
In Portuguese, adjectives normally agree with their nouns in gender and number. However, adjectives ending in -e like importante are gender-neutral in their form. Since detalhe is masculine singular, importante is already in the correct singular form, and it would remain unchanged even if the noun were feminine in similar constructions.
Is the sentence Detalhe é importante appropriate for both formal and informal settings?
Yes, the sentence is versatile and acceptable in both informal and formal contexts. Its concise, aphoristic style makes it suitable for a wide range of discussions—from casual remarks to serious presentations where emphasizing precision is key.
Can the singular detalhe be replaced by the plural detalhes, and what effect would that have?
Absolutely. Changing it to Detalhes são importantes translates to "Details are important." Using the plural emphasizes multiple specific elements rather than the abstract concept of detail. The choice between singular and plural depends on whether you want to discuss detail as a general principle or focus on numerous individual details.