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Eu devo estudar para o exame.

Eu devo estudar para o exame.
I must study for the exam.
FromLesson 10inHardcore Portuguese (Portugal)

Breakdown of Eu devo estudar para o exame.

eu
I
estudar
to study
para
for
o exame
the exam
dever
must

Questions & Answers about Eu devo estudar para o exame.

What does the verb devo indicate in this sentence?
Devo is the first-person singular form of the verb dever in the present tense. It expresses obligation or necessity, meaning “I must” or “I should.”
Why is the infinitive estudar used right after devo?
In Portuguese, when a modal or auxiliary verb like dever is used, the following main verb remains in its infinitive form. So, estudar is used to show the action that is required without any further conjugation, similar to “study” after “must” in English.
What is the function of the preposition para in this sentence?
The preposition para introduces the purpose or goal of an action. In this sentence, it means “for” or “in order to,” indicating that the studying is being done in preparation for the exam.
Why is the article o used before exame?
The article o is the masculine singular definite article in Portuguese, equivalent to “the” in English. It specifies that the exam mentioned is a particular one, much like saying “the exam” in English.
How does the overall sentence structure compare to English?

The structure is very similar to English. The sentence breaks down as follows: • Eu – the subject, meaning “I.” • devo – the modal verb showing obligation (“must” or “should”). • estudar – the main verb in the infinitive form (“to study”). • para o exame – a prepositional phrase indicating the purpose (“for the exam”).

Can this sentence be turned into a question, and if so, how?
Yes, by using a rising intonation when speaking or by adjusting the punctuation in written form, you can ask for confirmation. For example, “Eu devo estudar para o exame?” works as a question meaning “Should I study for the exam?” in English.
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