Breakdown of Se mexeres no interruptor, isso pode afetar a intensidade da luz.
de
of
poder
to be able to
se
if
a luz
the light
a intensidade
the intensity
afetar
to affect
o interruptor
the switch
isso
it
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Questions & Answers about Se mexeres no interruptor, isso pode afetar a intensidade da luz.
What does mexeres mean, and why is that particular form used in this sentence?
Mexeres is the second-person singular future subjunctive form of the verb mexer. In European Portuguese, when you set up a condition with "if" (using se), it’s common to use the future subjunctive to refer to a possible future action. Here, it indicates that if you (informally, as tu) meddle with the switch, something might happen.
What does the word interruptor mean, and why is it preceded by no?
Interruptor means switch (often referring to a light switch). The word no is a contraction of em + o, which translates as in the or on the in English. So no interruptor effectively means on the switch.
Why is the sentence structured with a conditional clause using the future subjunctive and a main clause using the present indicative?
The sentence is a conditional statement. The clause Se mexeres no interruptor ("if you meddle with the switch") uses the future subjunctive to refer to a possible future event. The main clause, isso pode afetar a intensidade da luz ("that may affect the intensity of the light"), employs the present indicative (with pode) to express a general possibility or consequence. This combination is typical in Portuguese to indicate what might happen if a certain action takes place.
What does intensidade da luz mean in this context?
Intensidade da luz literally translates to intensity of the light. In the context of the sentence, it refers to the brightness or strength of the light, suggesting that meddling with the switch could change how bright the light appears.