Breakdown of Se derrubares o vaso, terás de limpar a terra espalhada no chão.
em
in
limpar
to clean
se
if
ter de
to have to
o chão
the floor
o vaso
the vase
derrubar
to knock over
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Questions & Answers about Se derrubares o vaso, terás de limpar a terra espalhada no chão.
What is the function of “derrubares” in this sentence, and which mood and tense does it represent?
“Derrubares” is the second person singular form of the future subjunctive of the verb derrubar. In Portuguese, this form is used in clauses introduced by “se” to refer to a condition that might occur in the future. Although in English we typically use the present tense after “if” (as in “if you knock over”), Portuguese uses the future subjunctive for such conditional statements.
How does “terás de limpar” convey obligation, and why is this construction used?
“Terás de limpar” literally means “you will have to clean.” This construction uses the future indicative of ter (to have) combined with “de” to express necessity or obligation. It clearly indicates that if the condition is met (knocking over the vase), then cleaning up the dirt becomes a compulsory action.
What role does the word “espalhada” play in the sentence?
“Espalhada” is the feminine past participle of espalhar (to spread) and acts as an adjective modifying terra (dirt or earth). It describes the state of the dirt, indicating that it has been spread or scattered on the floor.
How is the phrase “no chão” constructed, and what does it mean?
“No chão” is a contraction of the preposition em (meaning “on” or “in”) and the masculine definite article o combined with chão (floor). This contraction is used to form “on the floor,” indicating the location of the dirt.
Why are the verbs “derrubares” and “terás” conjugated in the second person singular form?
Both “derrubares” and “terás” are conjugated for the second person singular (tu) because the sentence is addressing someone directly in an informal manner, which is common in European Portuguese. This choice of pronoun and the accompanying verb forms help indicate that the instruction is being given personally.
How is the future subjunctive formed for regular verbs like “derrubar”?
For regular verbs such as derrubar, the future subjunctive is formed by taking the third person plural form of the preterite (in this case “derrubaram”), removing the ending -ram, and then adding the appropriate endings. For the second person singular, you add -res, resulting in “derrubares.” This formation is standard in Portuguese for expressing conditions that refer to future possibilities.