Question 1

What is the function of lhe in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

lhe is the third-person singular indirect-object pronoun. It means “to him” (or “to her”/“to you” formal). Here it tells us that I will explain to him everything.

Question 2

Why is lhe placed before explicar instead of attached at the end?

Accepted Answer

Because this is a subordinate clause introduced by se, which requires proclisis (pronoun before the verb). In European Portuguese, after certain conjunctions (like se, quando, porque), you put the pronoun in front. Attaching it to the end (enclisis) would be ungrammatical here.

Question 3

What tense is explicar in se eu lhe explicar? Why not the infinitive or present indicative?

Accepted Answer

This explicar is actually the future subjunctive (which looks identical to the infinitive). Portuguese uses the future subjunctive in real if-clauses referring to future events. It’s not the present indicative (explico) nor the pure infinitive (because context demands a specific mood for a future condition).

Question 4

What tense and person is compreenderá, and how is the simple future formed?

Accepted Answer

compreenderá is the third-person singular future indicative. To form the simple future, you take the infinitive (compreender) and add the endings -ei, -ás, -á, -emos, -ão. Here we have ele compreender + á = compreenderá. The accent on the final á marks the stressed syllable.

Question 5

Could I use a periphrastic future like ele vai compreender instead of ele compreenderá?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ele vai compreender a solução is perfectly natural in spoken Portuguese. The simple future (compreenderá) is more formal or common in writing, while vai compreender is often chosen in informal conversation.

Question 6

Why is there a comma after com calma?

Accepted Answer

In Portuguese, when the if-clause (protasis) comes first, you separate it from the main clause (apodosis) with a comma. So Se eu lhe explicar tudo com calma, ends the subordinate clause before you start ele compreenderá a solução.

Question 7

Why com calma instead of the adverb calmamente?

Accepted Answer

Both are grammatically correct, but colloquially Portuguese speakers often prefer com + noun (com calma, com cuidado, com atenção) over the -mente adverb form. calmamente exists but sounds more formal or bookish.

Question 8

What’s the difference between compreender and entender?

Accepted Answer

Both verbs mean “to understand.” entender is more common in everyday speech; compreender is slightly more formal or literary. compreender can also mean “to include” or “to consist of,” a nuance entender doesn’t have.

Question 9

Why is the subject pronoun ele included? Can you omit it?

Accepted Answer

Portuguese is a pro-drop language, so you can say (Ele) compreenderá a solução or even just compreenderá a solução if context is clear. The pronoun ele is added here for emphasis or clarity, especially in writing.

Question 10

How would I express a hypothetical condition instead of a real one?

Accepted Answer

You’d switch to the imperfect subjunctive and the conditional:  
- Se eu lhe explicasse tudo com calma, ele compreenderia a solução.  
This means “If I were to explain everything to him calmly, he would understand the solution,” implying a more remote or hypothetical scenario.

Se eu lhe explicar tudo com calma, ele compreenderá a solução.

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