Question 1

Why is alteramos in the present tense when the English translation says 'we will change'?

Accepted Answer

While já typically means 'already' for past events, pairing it with a present tense verb like alteramos is a very common way to express an immediate or guaranteed future action. It conveys the feeling of 'we are doing it right now' or 'we will get to it this exact second'.

Question 2

How can I tell that alteramos is in the present tense and not the past tense here?

Accepted Answer

In European Portuguese, the past tense of regular -ar verbs for nós (we) requires an acute accent: alterámos (we changed). Since there is no accent on alteramos in this sentence, it is strictly the present tense, which is required to trigger the immediate future meaning with já.

Question 3

Could I use então instead of por isso to mean 'therefore' or 'so'?

Accepted Answer

Yes, então is very common in spoken Portuguese for 'so'. However, por isso literally means 'for that reason', which creates a stronger, slightly more formal cause-and-effect link between the danger of the turbulence and the immediate action being taken by the crew.

Question 4

Can I put já at the end of the sentence, like por isso alteramos a altitude já?

Accepted Answer

You can, but it changes the tone. Placing já immediately before the verb is the standard, natural way to express this 'we are on it' future aspect. Putting já at the very end often sounds more urgent, demanding, or like a strict command.

A turbulência é perigosa, por isso já alteramos a altitude.

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