Breakdown of Eu uso pano para limpar a mesa.
eu
I
limpar
to clean
para
to
a mesa
the table
usar
to use
o pano
the cloth
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Questions & Answers about Eu uso pano para limpar a mesa.
Why is there no article before pano in the sentence?
In Portuguese, when referring to a material or substance in a general sense, it is common to omit the article. In this sentence, pano is used generically (meaning "cloth" in general) rather than referring to a specific piece, which is why no article (like um) is needed.
Could the sentence also include an article, for example, Eu uso um pano para limpar a mesa?
Yes, including the indefinite article um is grammatically correct: Eu uso um pano para limpar a mesa. Using um can suggest that you’re referring to a particular piece of cloth among others, while the original version implies cloth in a more general sense. Both versions are acceptable; the choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.
What is the function of the preposition para in this sentence?
The preposition para is used to indicate purpose. It introduces the infinitive limpar, which explains why the cloth is used—to clean the table. This function is similar to how to is used in English (as in “to clean”).
Why is the verb limpar in its infinitive form after para?
After prepositions like para in Portuguese, the verb that follows is typically in its infinitive form. This construction clearly expresses the intended purpose or goal of the action—in this case, cleaning the table.
How does the word order of this Portuguese sentence compare to its English equivalent?
The Portuguese sentence follows a structure very similar to English. It starts with the subject (Eu), then the verb (uso), followed by the object (pano), and concludes with a purpose clause introduced by para. This mirrors the English structure “I use [a] cloth to clean the table,” where to clean the table functions similarly to the Portuguese para limpar a mesa.
Why is the definite article a required before mesa?
In Portuguese, when referring to a specific object—in this case, a particular table—the definite article is used. Therefore, mesa becomes a mesa to clearly indicate that you are talking about a specific table, much like saying “the table” in English.