Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Pedro tem urgência para terminar o relatório.

In Portuguese, expressions that indicate a purpose or a necessity—like “ter urgência para”—are typically followed by an infinitive. Here, “terminar” in its infinitive form shows that finishing the report is the goal that the urgency is directed toward, rather than stating an action that is happening right now.

What role does the preposition “para” play in the sentence?

The preposition “para” serves to connect the state of urgency to its intended purpose. In the construction “tem urgência para terminar,” “para” clearly indicates that the urgency is directed toward performing the action of finishing the report. It functions similarly to purpose clauses in English (e.g., “in order to” finish).

Is there a difference between using “urgência” and a word like “pressa” to express haste?

Yes, there is a subtle difference. “Urgência” conveys a sense of a pressing, critical need and is often used in more formal or serious contexts. “Pressa,” on the other hand, is more colloquial and simply means that someone is in a hurry. In this sentence, “urgência” emphasizes that the need to finish the report is not just about speed but about addressing a time-sensitive requirement.

How does the subject “Pedro” affect the verb form “tem”?

“Pedro” is the subject of the sentence, and since he is singular, the verb “ter” is correctly conjugated as “tem” in the third person singular form. This agreement between subject and verb is fundamental in Portuguese sentence structure.

Can the sentence be rephrased while still conveying the same meaning?

Absolutely. For example, one might say “Pedro precisa terminar o relatório com urgência,” which translates to “Pedro needs to finish the report urgently.” Although the structure changes slightly, the essential idea—that Pedro must complete the report promptly—remains the same.

Why isn’t “terminar o relatório” conjugated as a finite verb?

In this construction, “terminar o relatório” functions as an infinitive phrase that describes the action linked to the state of urgency. In Portuguese, when a verb expresses purpose or necessity following certain expressions (like “ter urgência para”), it is left in the infinitive form rather than being conjugated.