A reunião começa pontualmente.

The meeting begins punctually.

Breakdown of A reunião começa pontualmente.

• a reunião: the meeting
• começar: to begin
• pontualmente: punctually

Questions & Answers about A reunião começa pontualmente.

What is the grammatical structure of the sentence A reunião começa pontualmente?

The sentence is structured with a definite article (A), a noun (reunião) serving as the subject, a verb (começa) in the present tense, and an adverb (pontualmente) that modifies the verb. This breakdown shows a typical subject-verb-adverb order, analogous to saying "The meeting starts promptly" in English.

Why is the definite article A used before reunião in this sentence?

In Portuguese, singular countable nouns that refer to specific entities typically require a definite article. Using A before reunião indicates a particular meeting, similar to how we use "the" in English. This article helps identify the noun clearly within the context.

What tense is the verb começa and why is it used for scheduled events like meetings?

Começa is the third person singular form of the verb começar in the present tense. In Portuguese, as in English, the present tense is commonly used to describe scheduled or timetabled events because it conveys certainty and immediacy—implying that the event will occur exactly when scheduled.

What is the function and meaning of pontualmente, and why is it placed at the end of the sentence?

Pontualmente is an adverb meaning promptly or on time. It modifies the verb começa by specifying the manner in which the meeting starts. In Portuguese, adverbs that describe how an action is performed are typically positioned after the verb to provide clear emphasis on the action, hence its placement at the end.

Can the sentence be rephrased while keeping the same meaning, and what are some alternatives?

Yes, the sentence can be rephrased in a few ways. For instance, you could say "A reunião inicia pontualmente," where inicia is a synonym of começa. Another alternative might be "A reunião começa na hora certa," which also conveys that the meeting starts on time. Both alternatives are grammatically correct and maintain the same overall meaning.