Breakdown of Se tiveres curiosidade, podemos discutir a possibilidade de adiar o nosso horário de estudo.
de
of
ter
to have
se
if
poder
to be able
nosso
our
discutir
to discuss
a possibilidade
the possibility
adiar
to postpone
o horário
the schedule
o estudo
the study
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Questions & Answers about Se tiveres curiosidade, podemos discutir a possibilidade de adiar o nosso horário de estudo.
What does the verb tiveres mean, and why is it used in this sentence?
The verb tiveres is the second-person singular future subjunctive form of ter (meaning “to have”). In European Portuguese, the future subjunctive is used in conditional clauses referring to a potential future condition. Here, it means “if you are (or have) curious” and is appropriate because the condition relates to a future possibility.
What is the function of Se at the beginning of the sentence?
Se is the conditional conjunction meaning “if.” It introduces the condition under which the rest of the sentence applies. In this context, it sets up the opportunity: “if you are curious,” then the next possibility—to discuss postponing the study schedule—can take place.
Why is the phrase a possibilidade de adiar structured with adiar in its infinitive form?
After expressions like possibilidade (“possibility”), Portuguese typically uses the preposition de followed by the infinitive form of the verb. Here, adiar remains in its base (infinitive) form to express the concept of “postponing” in a general way, similar to how English uses a gerund (postponing) in the phrase “the possibility of postponing.”
How do podemos and o nosso horário de estudo function in the sentence?
Podemos is the first-person plural present form of poder (“can” or “to be able to”), meaning “we can.” O nosso horário de estudo translates to “our study schedule.” Together, they communicate that if the condition (curiosity) is met, then “we can discuss the possibility of postponing our study schedule.”
Is this construction typical of European Portuguese compared to Brazilian Portuguese?
Yes, it is. The use of tiveres (the second-person singular form with the future subjunctive) is a hallmark of European Portuguese when addressing someone informally with “tu.” In Brazilian Portuguese, speakers commonly use você instead, which would lead to a construction like “se você tiver curiosidade” rather than “se tiveres curiosidade.”
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