Breakdown of Se eu não usar sapatos, posso escorregar na rua.
eu
I
em
in
não
not
se
if
poder
to be able
a rua
the street
usar
to use
o sapato
the shoe
escorregar
to slip
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Questions & Answers about Se eu não usar sapatos, posso escorregar na rua.
What is the role of se in this sentence?
Se serves as a conditional conjunction, equivalent to the English word “if.” It introduces the condition under which the main clause takes effect.
How is the negative phrase não usar translated into English, and what does it imply here?
Não usar literally means “not use.” In context, it implies “not wear” shoes, setting up the condition that leads to the possibility of slipping.
What does posso mean, and how does it function in this sentence?
Posso is the first-person singular form of the verb poder, which means “I can” or “I may.” It expresses the possibility that the speaker could slip on the street if the stated condition is met.
How is the phrase na rua constructed, and what is its translation?
Na rua is a contraction of the preposition em (“in” or “on”) and the definite article a (“the”), forming “na.” It translates as “on the street” in English.
Why is there a comma after “Se eu não usar sapatos” in this sentence?
The comma separates the conditional clause (“Se eu não usar sapatos”) from the main clause (“posso escorregar na rua”). This punctuation mirrors English style and helps clarify the sentence’s structure.
Is it necessary to include the subject pronoun eu in the sentence?
Although Portuguese verb conjugations already indicate the subject, including eu (meaning “I”) can prevent ambiguity and add emphasis. It’s a common stylistic choice, especially in European Portuguese.