Breakdown of Eu não uso o elevador quando estou com pressa.
eu
I
estar
to be
quando
when
com
with
não
not
o
the
usar
to use
o elevador
the elevator
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Questions & Answers about Eu não uso o elevador quando estou com pressa.
Why is the subject pronoun eu included? Can I drop it?
In Portuguese the verb ending already shows the subject, so you can normally drop eu. It’s included here for emphasis or clarity.
Example without pronoun: Não uso o elevador quando estou com pressa.
Why is não placed before the verb uso?
Portuguese uses não as the negation particle, and it always precedes the verb to turn it into a negative:
uso = “I use” → não uso = “I don’t use.”
Why is there a definite article o before elevador?
We use the definite article when speaking of a specific elevator (for instance the one in your building).
o elevador = “the elevator.” If you wanted “an elevator” in general, you could say um elevador, though it sounds less natural in this context.
Could I say um elevador instead of o elevador?
You can, but it changes the nuance:
- um elevador → “an elevator” (any elevator)
- o elevador → “the elevator” (the one you normally use).
In everyday speech about your building’s elevator, o elevador is preferred.
Why is there no pronoun in quando estou com pressa?
In subordinate clauses you also drop the subject pronoun because estou already tells you it’s first person singular. So (eu) estou is understood.
Why is it com pressa and not em pressa?
The fixed expression for “to be in a hurry” is estar com pressa. We always use com here; em pressa would be ungrammatical.
Can I say estou apressado instead of estou com pressa?
Yes, apressado is an adjective meaning “hurried,” so estou apressado is understandable. However, estar com pressa is more idiomatic and frequent.
Why use the simple present uso for this action?
The simple present in Portuguese expresses habitual or regular actions. Since avoiding the elevator when you’re in a hurry is a habit, you say uso, not a continuous or past form.
Could I use a continuous form like não estou a usar o elevador?
In European Portuguese, não estou a usar o elevador would mean “I’m not using the elevator (right now).” It focuses on the present moment, not a habitual choice. To talk about a routine you need the simple present.
Why doesn’t pressa take an article (e.g. a pressa)?
Abstract nouns in fixed phrases often drop the article. com pressa is one of those set expressions. If you said estou na pressa, it would sound odd or poetic.
Could I say pegar o elevador instead of usar o elevador?
In Brazil “pegar o elevador” (“to catch the elevator”) is common, but in Portugal usar o elevador is more natural. Both are understood, though.