Breakdown of Estou a editar o brilho e o contraste das fotografias, algumas das quais estão muito escuras.
e
and
de
of / from / by (means of transport) / wearing (attire)
muito
much / very
estar
to be (temporary / location)
a fotografia
the photograph
algum
some / any
escuro
dark
as quais
which / who (f.pl)
editar
to edit
o brilho
the brightness
o contraste
the contrast
Questions & Answers about Estou a editar o brilho e o contraste das fotografias, algumas das quais estão muito escuras.
Why do we use das quais here instead of just de que for "of which"?
When using a quantifier to talk about a portion of a larger group (like "some of", "many of", or "two of"), you cannot use the simple relative pronoun que. You must use a form of o qual. Because it follows the preposition de (of) and refers back to the feminine plural fotografias, it becomes das quais (de + as quais).
Why does algumas take the feminine plural form in this sentence?
The quantifier algumas (some) acts as a pronoun here, standing in for the specific photographs being mentioned. Therefore, it must agree in gender and number with as fotografias (feminine plural). Both the quantifier and the relative pronoun that follows it must match the noun they refer to.
Could I just say o brilho e contraste without repeating the second o?
It sounds much more natural in Portuguese to repeat the definite article before each noun in a list, even when the nouns have the same gender. Saying o brilho e o contraste is the standard way to phrase this.
Why use estão (temporary) instead of são (permanent) if the unedited photograph is permanently dark?
Even though the darkness is a fixed property of the original file, Portuguese often uses estar to describe physical appearances, lighting, or visual conditions that are being evaluated in the moment. Furthermore, because the speaker is actively editing them, the darkness is very much treated as a temporary, changeable state.
Learn Estou a editar o brilho e o contraste das fotografias, algumas das quais estão muito escuras and more in Portuguese
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free