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Questions & Answers about A atmosfera está calma.
What is the role of A in the sentence "A atmosfera está calma"?
The A is a definite article meaning the. It precedes the noun atmosfera to indicate that we are talking about a specific atmosphere. In Portuguese, nouns typically require an article, and since atmosfera is feminine singular, the appropriate article is a.
Why is está used instead of é, and what does it signify?
Está is the third-person singular form of the verb estar, which is used to describe temporary states or conditions. In this sentence, "A atmosfera está calma" implies that the calmness of the atmosphere is a current, possibly temporary, condition. In contrast, é (from ser) would indicate something intrinsic or permanent.
How does the adjective calma agree with the noun atmosfera?
In Portuguese, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify. Since atmosfera is a feminine singular noun, the adjective takes the feminine singular form calma. If the noun were masculine, you would likely use calmo instead.
What is the basic sentence structure of "A atmosfera está calma"?
The sentence follows a simple subject-verb-adjective pattern: A atmosfera (subject) + está (linking verb) + calma (adjective describing the subject). This structure is common in Portuguese for making descriptive statements.