Breakdown of Se deixares um objeto solto, vais ter algo que consertar depois.
ter
to have
um
a / an / some (all forms)
ir
to go
depois
later
se
if
que
who / which / that (relative)
algo
something
deixar
to leave (behind) / to quit / to let (allow)
consertar
to repair
o objeto
the object
solto
loose
Questions & Answers about Se deixares um objeto solto, vais ter algo que consertar depois.
Why do we use que before consertar? Couldn't we just say algo consertar or use para?
This sentence uses an infinitival relative clause, which is the focus of this lesson! When you have an indefinite word like algo (something), nada (nothing), or muito (much) followed by an action that needs to be done, you connect them with que. So, algo que consertar literally acts like "something that [needs] repairing."
Can I use a instead of que in this structure, like algo a consertar?
Yes, absolutely. Using the preposition a + infinitive (algo a consertar) is very common in European Portuguese and means the exact same thing. However, using que is how you build a true relative clause, and it's a very natural, native-sounding way to link an indefinite antecedent to a future action.
deixares looks exactly like the personal infinitive. How do I know which one it is here?
Here it is the future subjunctive, not the personal infinitive. The word se (if) triggers the future subjunctive when setting up a possible future condition. Because deixar is a regular verb, its future subjunctive forms are identical to its personal infinitive forms. You know it's subjunctive here entirely because it follows se.
Is solto related to the verb soltar?
Yes! solto is the short, irregular past participle of soltar (to release, let go, or loosen). Here, it is being used as an adjective to describe the objeto, meaning it is "loose" or "unsecured."
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