Breakdown of Em primeiro lugar, o benefício principal é a conveniência.
ser
to be
principal
main
em primeiro lugar
in the first place, firstly
o benefício
the benefit
a conveniência
the convenience
Questions & Answers about Em primeiro lugar, o benefício principal é a conveniência.
Could I use primeiro or primeiramente instead of em primeiro lugar?
Yes, you can. Em primeiro lugar is a standard way to structure an argument, mirroring "first of all" or "in the first place." Primeiramente is also correct and carries a similar formal weight (like "firstly"), while just starting with Primeiro,... is more casual but very common in spoken Portuguese.
Could I change the word order to o principal benefício?
Yes, both are correct! Placing principal before the noun (o principal benefício) is extremely common and often sounds slightly more emphatic. Placing it after the noun (o benefício principal), as done in this sentence, simply follows the standard, neutral Portuguese word order where the describing adjective comes second.
Why is there an a before conveniência when the English translation just says "convenience"?
In Portuguese, abstract nouns dealing with general concepts—like a conveniência (convenience), a paciência (patience), or a beleza (beauty)—require a definite article. While English drops the "the" for broad, general ideas, Portuguese keeps it.
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