Breakdown of É de destacar que um cogumelo tóxico é letal.
ser
to be
de
of / from / by (means of transport) / wearing (attire)
um
a / an / some (all forms)
que
that (conjunction)
destacar
to highlight
tóxico
toxic
o cogumelo
the mushroom
letal
lethal
Questions & Answers about É de destacar que um cogumelo tóxico é letal.
What exactly does the structure é de destacar express, and how does it work?
The structure ser de + infinitive is an evaluative impersonal expression. It typically translates to "it is to be [verb]ed" or "it is worth [verb]ing". Here, é de destacar means "it is to be highlighted" or "it is worth pointing out". The preposition de pairs with the verb ser and an active infinitive to create a passive, evaluative meaning.
Impersonal phrases like "it is [adjective] that" usually trigger the subjunctive. Why does this sentence use the indicative é letal instead of the subjunctive seja letal?
It is true that many impersonal expressions (like é importante que or é provável que) trigger the subjunctive. However, expressions that state a certainty, establish a fact, or draw attention to a clear reality—such as é de destacar que (it is to be highlighted that) or é de notar que (it is to be noted that)—take the indicative. The speaker is declaring the mushroom's lethality as an absolute fact, rather than expressing a subjective emotion or doubt.
Could I use other verbs in this same ser de + infinitive structure to mean the same thing?
Does the verb destacar only mean "to highlight" in a figurative sense?
No, destacar can be used both figuratively (to emphasize a point) and literally (to detach something, or to highlight text). At the B2 level, it is also highly useful to know its reflexive form, destacar-se, which means "to stand out" (for example, Ele destaca-se na multidão — He stands out in the crowd).
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