Breakdown of É urgente rever o nosso horário de trabalho, porque precisamos parar mais cedo para superar o cansaço.
ser
to be
de
of
precisar de
to need
porque
because
mais cedo
earlier
para
to
o trabalho
the work
nosso
our
o cansaço
the tiredness
parar
to stop
o horário
the schedule
urgente
urgent
superar
to overcome
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Questions & Answers about É urgente rever o nosso horário de trabalho, porque precisamos parar mais cedo para superar o cansaço.
Why does the sentence start with "É urgente" without mentioning a clear subject like "Rever o nosso horário de trabalho" as the subject?
In Portuguese, it’s common to use impersonal constructions when the focus is on the action rather than on a specific subject. Here, "É urgente" (It is urgent) sets up a statement about the necessity of the action that follows. Even though a subject isn’t explicitly mentioned before the adjective, the entire infinitive phrase "rever o nosso horário de trabalho" serves as the logical subject of the sentence.
What is the role of the infinitive "rever" in this sentence, and what does it mean?
"Rever" is used in its base (infinitive) form to denote an action—in this case, "to review" or "to reexamine." The construction "É urgente rever o nosso horário de trabalho" is similar to saying in English, "It is urgent to review our work schedule." The use of the infinitive is standard in Portuguese when an action is seen as an abstract necessity or recommendation.
How does the conjunction "porque" function in the sentence?
"Porque" means "because" and it introduces a cause or reason for the urgency mentioned at the beginning of the sentence. It links the main clause ("É urgente rever o nosso horário de trabalho") with the subordinate clause ("precisamos parar mais cedo para superar o cansaço"), explaining why the change is needed.
What is the purpose of the preposition "para" in "para superar o cansaço"?
The preposition "para" is used to indicate purpose or intention. In "para superar o cansaço" it translates to "in order to overcome tiredness." This shows that stopping earlier is intended as a means to manage or counteract the fatigue experienced.
Why is "nosso horário de trabalho" used instead of another possessive, and what does it imply?
"Nosso horário de trabalho" translates to "our work schedule." The choice of "nosso" (our) implies that the schedule belongs collectively to a group, not just to a single person. This may suggest that the decision to adjust the work hours affects everyone involved, highlighting a shared responsibility or benefit.
Could the sentence be restructured, for instance, as "Rever o nosso horário de trabalho é urgente"? If so, does it change the emphasis?
Yes, restructuring the sentence as "Rever o nosso horário de trabalho é urgente" is grammatically correct and conveys the same idea. However, starting with "É urgente" is a stylistic choice in Portuguese that places immediate emphasis on the urgency of the action, making the sentence feel more immediate and pressing.
Is there any particular nuance to the verb "parar" in "precisamos parar mais cedo" instead of using another verb like "terminar"?
Using "parar" (to stop) in this context implies the act of ceasing work or activity earlier than usual. Although "terminar" (to finish) could also be used, "parar" emphasizes the idea of halting the ongoing process, which fits well when mentioning the need to overcome tiredness. The choice of verb subtly influences how the action is perceived, focusing on the cessation of work rather than simply completing a task.