Breakdown of A cadeira é ergonómica de forma a proteger a coluna.
ser
to be
a cadeira
the chair
proteger
to protect
ergonómico
ergonomic
de forma a
so as to
a coluna
the spine
Questions & Answers about A cadeira é ergonómica de forma a proteger a coluna.
Could I just use para proteger instead of de forma a proteger?
Why is proteger in the infinitive here, rather than conjugated?
The expression de forma a always takes an infinitive when the subject of both clauses is the same, or when making a general statement. Because the chair's design is what does the protecting, we use the unconjugated infinitive proteger.
What if the subjects were different, like 'The chair is ergonomic so that you protect your spine'?
If the subjects change (the chair vs. you), you can no longer use the a + infinitive structure. You must switch to de forma que (or de modo que) followed by the subjunctive mode. For example: A cadeira é ergonómica de forma que protejas a coluna.
Does coluna mean 'spine', or does it mean 'column' like in a building?
It means both! In an anatomical context, it is short for coluna vertebral (spine or backbone). You will also see coluna used for architectural pillars, newspaper columns, and even loudspeakers (which are called colunas in Portugal).
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