Question 1

I thought European Portuguese avoids words ending in -ndo (the gerund). Why is metendo used here?

Accepted Answer

It is true that for continuous tenses (like "he is putting"), European Portuguese prefers a + infinitive (e.g., está a meter). However, for adverbial use—when describing how or under what circumstances a main action happened—European Portuguese regularly uses the -ndo gerund. Here, metendo acts as an adverb, explaining exactly how the fisherman prepared the rod.

Question 2

Why use meter for "putting"? Could I use pôr or colocar?

Accepted Answer

Yes, pondo (from pôr) or colocando (from colocar) would also make sense here. Meter is a very common, everyday verb in Portugal for putting, inserting, or placing one thing inside or onto another (like bait onto a hook).

Question 3

Why does "on the hook" translate to no anzol?

Accepted Answer

The preposition em (which combines with o to make no) is the standard way to say "on" or "in" when referring to attachment or surface contact. While you might know sobre for "on top of," no anzol is the most natural fit for bait attached to a hook.

Question 4

Can the -ndo phrase go at the beginning of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Just like in English, you can place the gerund clause first to shift the focus: Metendo o isco no anzol, o pescador preparou a cana de pesca (Putting the bait on the hook, the fisherman prepared the fishing rod). Both word orders are perfectly natural.

O pescador preparou a cana de pesca, metendo o isco no anzol.

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