Breakdown of Se for inverno, um cobertor grosso torna a sala muito mais acolhedora.
ser
to be
um
a
muito
very
mais
more
a sala
the room
se
if
o inverno
the winter
o cobertor
the blanket
grosso
thick
acolhedor
cozy
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Questions & Answers about Se for inverno, um cobertor grosso torna a sala muito mais acolhedora.
Why does the sentence use "for" instead of the more straightforward "é" after "se"?
"for" is the present subjunctive form of the verb ser (to be). In Portuguese, when introducing a conditional clause with "se" (if) that implies a hypothetical or future situation, the subjunctive is used rather than the indicative form "é." This tells you that the sentence is expressing a condition that might not always be true.
What does "acolhedora" mean, and why is it in the feminine form?
Acolhedora means "welcoming" or "cozy." It is in the feminine form because it agrees with the noun sala (living room), which is a feminine noun in Portuguese. In agreement rules, adjectives must match the gender (and number) of the noun they describe.
How should I understand the phrase "um cobertor grosso" in this sentence?
The phrase um cobertor grosso translates to "a thick blanket." Here, um means "a," cobertor means "blanket," and grosso means "thick." Together, they serve as the subject in the main clause, indicating what makes the living room cozier when it is winter.
Can you explain the overall structure of the sentence?
The sentence is composed of two parts: a conditional clause and a main clause. The conditional clause, Se for inverno ("If it is winter"), uses the present subjunctive to introduce a condition. The main clause, um cobertor grosso torna a sala muito mais acolhedora ("a thick blanket makes the living room much cozier"), describes the result of that condition. This structure is typical in Portuguese for expressing conditions and their outcomes.
Why is "tornar" conjugated as "torna" in the sentence?
The verb tornar is conjugated as torna because it agrees with the singular subject um cobertor grosso. In Portuguese, verbs must match the subject in person and number, so "torna" is the correct third-person singular form matching "a thick blanket."