Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Às vezes, é mais fácil corrigir um erro se alguém nos der a sua opinião. - Sometimes it is easier to correct a mistake if someone gives us their opinion.

Às vezes translates to "sometimes". It indicates that the situation being described only occurs occasionally, highlighting that the ease of correcting an error depends on a particular condition happening at times.

Why is der used in “se alguém nos der a sua opinião” instead of the present indicative form?

The verb der is the future subjunctive form of dar. In European Portuguese, when a condition refers to a potential or future event—introduced by se (“if”)—the future subjunctive is used. This form emphasizes that the action is hypothetical and yet to occur.

What is the role of nos in the sentence?

Nos is an indirect object pronoun meaning "to us." It shows that the opinion given by someone is directed toward or received by us. In this context, it clarifies who benefits from the opinion being offered.

Why is the phrase a sua opinião used with the article a instead of just sua opinião?

In Portuguese, possessive adjectives are usually preceded by a definite article when referring to specific, singular nouns. Here, a sua agrees with the feminine noun opinião. This structure is common in European Portuguese and adds clarity and naturalness by formally indicating "your opinion" or "his/her opinion."

What does corrigir mean in this context, and why is it in its infinitive form?

Corrigir means "to correct." The infinitive is used after expressions like "é mais fácil" (it is easier) to indicate the action that becomes easier under certain conditions. This construction is typical in Portuguese when expressing that one action is facilitated by another.

How does the structure of this Portuguese sentence compare to its English equivalent?

The Portuguese sentence "Às vezes, é mais fácil corrigir um erro se alguém nos der a sua opinião" closely mirrors the English structure "Sometimes, it is easier to correct an error if someone gives us their opinion." Both sentences begin with an adverb of frequency, state a general observation, and include a conditional clause (introduced by se in Portuguese and if in English). This parallel helps learners see the similarities in sentence construction between both languages.