Breakdown of Aquele esqueleto não pertence a um réptil, mas sim a uma ave.
não
not / no
sim
yes
mas
but
um
a / an / some (all forms)
aquele
that over there (aquele, aquela, aqueles, aquelas)
pertencer a
to belong to
o esqueleto
the skeleton
o réptil
the reptile
a ave
the bird (general)
Questions & Answers about Aquele esqueleto não pertence a um réptil, mas sim a uma ave.
What is the exact difference between using just mas and using mas sim in this sentence?
Why do we need the preposition a again before uma ave?
The verb pertencer (to belong) requires the preposition a. When using a corrective structure like não... mas sim, the two opposing parts must be grammatically balanced. Because we said a um réptil in the first half, we have to repeat the preposition for a uma ave in the second half.
Could I use the word pássaro instead of ave here?
You could, but ave is much more natural in this context. Pássaro usually refers specifically to small perching birds or songbirds. Ave is the broader, more scientific term for any bird, which perfectly fits a conversation comparing skeletons and animal classes.
Why use Aquele instead of Esse for 'That'?
Aquele is used for things that are physically or conceptually far from both the speaker and the listener, like pointing at a museum display across the room. If the listener were standing right next to the skeleton or holding a bone from it, you would use Esse instead.
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