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Questions & Answers about A luz é natural.
Why is the definite article A used before luz?
In Portuguese, every noun has a gender. Since luz (meaning "light") is a feminine noun, it takes the feminine definite article a. This agreement between article and noun is an essential part of Portuguese grammar.
Why is the verb form é used in this sentence instead of a form of estar?
Portuguese uses two verbs for "to be": ser and estar. The form é comes from ser, which is used for inherent, defining qualities or characteristics. Here, natural describes an intrinsic quality of the light (that it is not artificial), so ser is appropriate rather than estar, which would indicate a temporary state.
Does the adjective natural change form to match the gender of the noun?
In this case, natural is an invariable adjective. That means it stays the same regardless of whether the noun it describes is masculine or feminine. While many adjectives in Portuguese do change to match noun gender, natural happens to be one that remains the same.
How does the sentence structure of A luz é natural compare to English?
The structure of the sentence is very similar to English. It follows the typical Subject-Verb-Predicate structure: • A luz is the subject (translated as "the light"). • é is the linking verb "is." • natural is the predicate adjective describing the subject. This similarity makes it easier to see the parallels between the two languages.
Could the article be omitted to say just luz é natural?
Generally, when making a straightforward statement about a specific subject in Portuguese, the definite article is required. Omitting the article can change the nuance of the sentence (and in many cases it would be considered grammatically incorrect). In this sentence, A luz é natural is the standard way to express that a specific light is natural.