Breakdown of Se eu confirmar a minha presença, não posso mudar os meus planos depois.
eu
I
minha
my
meu
my
poder
to be able to
não
not
se
if
o plano
the plan
depois
later
mudar
to change
confirmar
to confirm
a presença
the attendance
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Questions & Answers about Se eu confirmar a minha presença, não posso mudar os meus planos depois.
What does se mean in the sentence and what role does it play?
Se is a conditional conjunction equivalent to “if” in English. It introduces a condition—in this case, “if I confirm my attendance”—that affects the outcome expressed in the second part of the sentence.
What does the phrase confirmar a minha presença mean?
It means “confirm my attendance.” The phrase is commonly used in contexts like events or meetings where one needs to indicate whether they will be present.
Why is the modal verb poder used in the negative form as não posso?
Não posso translates as “I cannot” or “I’m not allowed to.” It indicates that, after confirming attendance, the speaker is stating an inability or prohibition to change their plans later.
What is the function of depois at the end of the sentence?
Depois means “afterwards” or “later.” It specifies that the restriction on changing plans applies at any time following the confirmation.
Is it necessary to include the subject pronoun eu in this sentence?
No, Portuguese often allows omitting the subject pronoun because the verb conjugation already implies the subject. However, including eu can provide extra clarity, especially for learners or in more formal contexts.
What overall commitment does the sentence express?
The sentence establishes that once you confirm your attendance, you commit to your plans, meaning you are not allowed—or able—to change them afterwards.