Breakdown of Em vez de estudares sozinho, podes convidar o Pedro para reverem a matéria juntos.
Pedro
Pedro
estudar
to study
sozinho
alone
poder
to be able
convidar
to invite
em vez de
instead of
para
so that
a matéria
the material
junto
together
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Portuguese grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Em vez de estudares sozinho, podes convidar o Pedro para reverem a matéria juntos.
Why is the verb form “estudares” used instead of the uninflected infinitive “estudar” in this sentence?
“Estudares” is the personal infinitive form of the verb “estudar.” In European Portuguese, when an infinitive follows a preposition (like “em vez de”) and its subject is understood or explicitly referenced (here, “you”), the verb is conjugated in a way that agrees with that subject. This contrasts with the general, impersonal infinitive “estudar,” which does not indicate who is performing the action.
Why is “podes” used instead of “pode” in the sentence?
“Podes” is the second-person singular present form of the verb “poder” used in European Portuguese when addressing someone informally with “tu.” The sentence is written in the “tu” form common in Portugal, so “podes” (meaning “you can”) is the appropriate choice rather than “pode,” which would be used for third-person singular or the formal “você.”
Why is the clause “para reverem a matéria” using the form “reverem” instead of the regular infinitive “rever”?
In this clause, the intended subject of “reverem” is compound—it implicitly includes both the person being addressed and Pedro. When an action is to be performed jointly by more than one individual, Portuguese often uses the personal infinitive form that reflects this compound subject. Although the standard infinitive “rever” is uninflected, “reverem” shows agreement with a compound subject (which, in a mixed situation involving “tu” and another person, defaults to a form similar to the third-person plural).
What does the phrase “em vez de” convey in this context?
“Em vez de” means “instead of.” It introduces an alternative action or option. Here, it contrasts the idea of studying by yourself with the suggestion that you might rather invite Pedro to review the material together.
Why does the sentence use “sozinho” (alone) in one part and “juntos” (together) at the end?
“Sozinho” is used after “estudares” to indicate that studying by yourself is a solitary activity, while “juntos” at the end emphasizes that, if you invite Pedro, you both will review the material collaboratively. The contrast reinforces the suggestion that studying with someone (as indicated by “juntos”) is preferable to doing it alone (“sozinho”).