Breakdown of Eu uso óleo para fritar o peixe.
eu
I
o peixe
the fish
para
to
usar
to use
fritar
to fry
o óleo
the oil
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Questions & Answers about Eu uso óleo para fritar o peixe.
Why is para followed by the infinitive fritar in this sentence?
In Portuguese, para is used to express purpose. When it’s followed by an infinitive verb like fritar, it indicates that the action is done with a specific aim—in this case, to fry the fish. This construction is similar to saying “in order to fry” in English.
Why is óleo used without an article while o peixe includes the definite article o?
Nouns that denote general substances or materials—like óleo (oil)—are often used without an article when referring to them in a general sense. In contrast, o peixe (the fish) uses the definite article o because it refers to a specific, identifiable item within the context of the sentence. This difference is common in Portuguese, where the use of articles can depend on whether a noun is viewed as a general substance or a particular object.
What verb form is uso and why is it used here?
The verb uso is in the first person singular of the present tense of usar (to use). It indicates a habitual or current action—“I use”—and is the standard way to express that you regularly or presently perform the action described in the sentence.
How is the purpose of the action conveyed in the sentence?
The sentence is divided into a main clause and a purpose clause. The main clause, Eu uso óleo, states the action (I use oil), and the purpose clause, para fritar o peixe, explains why that action is done (to fry the fish). The use of para + infinitive clearly signals that the oil is used with the specific purpose of frying the fish.
Can this sentence be rephrased while retaining the same meaning?
Yes, there are alternative ways to express the same idea. For example, you could say Utilizo óleo para fritar o peixe instead of Eu uso óleo para fritar o peixe. The slight change in verb form (from uso to utilizo) is simply a variation in style, but the overall meaning—that oil is used for the purpose of frying the fish—remains intact.