Breakdown of É óbvio que se trata de plágio.
ser
to be
que
that (conjunction)
óbvio
obvious
tratar-se de
to be a matter of / to concern
o plágio
the plagiarism
Questions & Answers about É óbvio que se trata de plágio.
Why is it se trata de instead of just trata de?
Why does the pronoun se come before the verb (que se trata) instead of after (que trata-se)?
In European Portuguese, pronouns usually attach to the end of the verb in affirmative sentences. However, the conjunction que acts as a "magnet" word, pulling the pronoun se before the verb. This forward-placement (proclisis) happens in all subordinate clauses introduced by que.
Does É óbvio que trigger the subjunctive mood in this sentence?
No, it triggers the indicative mood, which is why we see the present indicative trata. Impersonal expressions that convey certainty, absolute facts, or obviousness (like é óbvio que, é claro que, and é verdade que) take the indicative, contrasting with expressions of doubt or emotion which require the subjunctive.
Why is there no definite article before plágio (i.e., de plágio instead of do plágio)?
We omit the definite article here because plagiarism is being referred to as a broad, uncountable category ("a case of plagiarism") rather than one specific, previously discussed instance ("the plagiarism").
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