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Questions & Answers about Eu ligo o computador.
What does the verb “ligo” mean in this sentence, and what is its conjugation?
“Ligo” comes from the verb “ligar,” which in this context means “to turn on” (not “to call”). It is conjugated in the first person singular of the present indicative, so “Eu ligo” translates directly as “I turn on.”
Why is the subject pronoun “Eu” explicitly stated even though Portuguese often drops subject pronouns?
In Portuguese, the verb ending already indicates the subject, so it’s common to omit pronouns in casual conversation. However, beginners might include “Eu” for clarity, and it can also be used for emphasis or contrast when needed.
Why is the article “o” used before “computador” instead of an indefinite article like “um”?
The article “o” is the definite article for masculine singular nouns in Portuguese. Its use here indicates that the speaker is referring to a specific computer (i.e., “the computer”), which is similar to the definite article in English.
Since “ligar” can also mean “to call,” how do we know that “Eu ligo o computador” means “I turn on the computer”?
The meaning is determined by context and structure. When “ligar” means “to call,” it is usually followed by the preposition “para” (for example, “Ligo para o João” means “I call João”). In this sentence, the verb is used transitively without a preposition, clearly indicating that it means “to turn on.”
Is the word order in “Eu ligo o computador” standard, or can it be rearranged for emphasis?
The sentence follows the standard Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) word order, which is common and natural in Portuguese. While it is possible to rearrange components to emphasize different parts of the sentence, the SVO structure ensures clarity for straightforward actions like this one.