Breakdown of Eu pretendo estudar mais, porque quero passar no exame.
eu
I
querer
to want
porque
because
estudar
to study
em
in
o exame
the exam
mais
more
passar
to pass
pretender
to intend
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Questions & Answers about Eu pretendo estudar mais, porque quero passar no exame.
What does pretendo mean in this sentence and how is it used?
Pretendo is the first person singular present form of the verb pretender, meaning "I intend" or "I plan". It shows that the speaker has decided on an action—in this case, studying more.
Why is estudar in its infinitive form rather than conjugated?
In Portuguese, when one verb expresses an intention or desire (like pretender), it is typically followed by another verb in the infinitive. So, estudar remains in its infinitive form to indicate the specific action the speaker intends to undertake.
What does porque mean, and why is it used here?
Porque means "because" in Portuguese. It introduces a clause that explains the reason behind the speaker’s intention to study more. In this sentence, it connects the desire to study with the purpose of passing the exam.
Why is there a comma before porque in the sentence?
The comma is used to separate the main clause ("Eu pretendo estudar mais") from the subordinate clause ("porque quero passar no exame"). This punctuation helps clarify that the second clause explains or supports the idea presented in the first clause.
What does no exame mean, and why is no used instead of em o?
No exame is a contraction of em + o exame. It indicates that "exame" (exam) is a masculine noun, and the contraction is a common grammatical structure in Portuguese. The phrase translates to "in the exam" (implying the exam that the speaker wants to pass).
How does the structure of this Portuguese sentence compare to its English equivalent?
The structure is quite similar. Both languages use a main clause stating the intention (e.g., "I intend to study more") followed by a subordinate clause introduced by "because" (or "porque" in Portuguese) explaining the reason. One noticeable difference is that in Portuguese the subject is often stated explicitly (e.g., "Eu") even though verb conjugations already imply it.
Can you explain the difference between the verbs pretender and querer as used in this sentence?
Yes. Pretender expresses a deliberate plan or intention—it tells us that the speaker has set a course of action (studying more). In contrast, querer expresses a desire or wish. In this sentence, the speaker wants to pass the exam. Together, they show that the action (studying more) is purposefully planned because of an underlying desire (to pass the exam).
Is there any significance to how the subordinate clause is introduced by porque after the main clause?
Absolutely. Placing porque after the main clause—separated by a comma—clearly identifies the subordinate clause as providing a reason or explanation for the speaker's intention. This structure makes it clear that the motivation to pass the exam is the cause behind the decision to study more.