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Questions & Answers about Eu quero aprender a desenhar.
Why is the preposition a used before the infinitive desenhar in this sentence?
In Portuguese, certain verbs—like aprender—require the preposition a when followed by another verb in its infinitive form. This construction links the action you want to learn (to draw) to the main verb and is a standard grammatical rule, much like how English uses “to” in “I want to learn to draw.”
Is it necessary to include the subject pronoun Eu in this sentence?
No, including Eu (meaning “I”) is not strictly required because the verb quero is already conjugated in the first person singular. However, beginners often include it for clarity or emphasis, and it can be helpful when you’re still getting used to the language.
What tense and mood is used in quero, and what does it express?
Quero is in the present indicative form of the verb querer (to want) for the first person singular. It expresses a current desire or intention, indicating that at the moment of speaking, the subject wants to learn how to draw.
Why does the verb aprender appear before desenhar in its infinitive form?
In Portuguese, when one verb follows another—especially after modal or auxiliary verbs like querer—the second verb remains in its infinitive form. This structure clearly specifies the action intended to be learned without needing to conjugate the secondary verb.
Are there any differences in this construction between European and Brazilian Portuguese?
The construction Eu quero aprender a desenhar is standard in both European and Brazilian Portuguese. Both varieties follow the rule of using aprender a + [infinitive] to express learning an activity, so you can use this structure confidently regardless of the dialect.