Setting up a comfortable workspace is essential for your health. When explaining why we adjust our chairs or screens, we use purpose clauses to connect an action to its intended outcome.
In Portuguese, we can express these goals using the phrases de modo a and de forma a.
De modo a (In order to)
To express "in order to" or "in such a way as to", use the phrase de modo a. Because this expression does not specify a new subject, the verb that immediately follows it must remain in the infinitive (unconjugated) form.
| He needs to elevate the chair, in order to relieve the wrist. | Ele precisa de elevar a cadeira, de modo a aliviar o pulso. |
De forma a (So as to)
You can also use de forma a, which translates closely to "so as to". It is interchangeable with de modo a and follows the exact same rule: always follow it with an infinitive.
| The chair is ergonomic so as to protect the spine. | A cadeira é ergonómica de forma a proteger a coluna. |
| You need to rest the eyes so as to avoid fatigue. | Precisas de descansar os olhos de forma a evitar a fadiga. |
Expressing a negative purpose
When you want to say "in order not to" or "so as not to" (for instance, to avoid harm or fatigue), simply place the word não immediately after the a and before the infinitive verb.
| The screen is adjustable in order not to harm the eyes. | O ecrã é ajustável de modo a não prejudicar os olhos. |
| The ergonomic keyboard is useful so as not to harm the wrist. | O teclado ergonómico é útil de forma a não prejudicar o pulso. |