Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Sobrepor as pontas para ficar simétrico.

Sobrepor as pontas para ficar simétrico.

Overlap the points to be symmetrical.

Breakdown of Sobrepor as pontas para ficar simétrico.

Questions & Answers about Sobrepor as pontas para ficar simétrico.

Why does this instruction use the infinitive sobrepor instead of an imperative like sobreponha?

In Portuguese, the infinitive is frequently used for written instructions, such as in recipes, manuals, or tutorials. This is known as the instructional infinitive. It provides a neutral, impersonal command that isn't directed at anyone in particular.

Since as pontas is feminine plural, why is the adjective simétrico in the masculine singular?

If simétrico were describing as pontas (the ends), it would indeed be simétricas. However, here it describes the overall result of your action, such as the shape being created. When an adjective describes a general situation or an unnamed concept, it defaults to the masculine singular.

Why use ficar here instead of ser or estar?

The verb ficar often expresses a change of state or the final result of an action, translating roughly to 'to end up' or 'to become'. In this context, overlapping the ends causes the final shape to end up symmetrical.

Could I say para que fique simétrico instead of para ficar simétrico?

Yes, you could. Para que is used to show purpose and requires the subjunctive mood (fique). However, when giving a general impersonal instruction, using para followed by the infinitive (ficar) is much simpler and more common.