Breakdown of O aluno explicou que o equador separa o hemisfério norte do hemisfério sul.
de
of / from / by (means of transport) / wearing (attire)
o aluno
the student (m)
explicar
to explain
que
that (conjunction)
separar
to separate
o norte
the north
o sul
the south
o equador
the equator
o hemisfério
the hemisphere
Questions & Answers about O aluno explicou que o equador separa o hemisfério norte do hemisfério sul.
Why is separa in the present tense when the main verb (explicou) is in the past?
Normally, when reporting past speech, a present tense verb shifts to the imperfect (backshifting). However, because the fact that the equator separates the hemispheres is a universal, unchanging truth, we do not backshift it. We keep separa in the present tense to show the fact is still true today.
Could I use the imperfect tense (separava) here instead?
While it wouldn't break the mechanical rules of reported speech to say separava, it would sound very strange. It would imply that the equator used to separate the hemispheres, but perhaps no longer does! For universal facts, sticking to the present tense is always the best choice.
Why do we use do before hemisfério sul instead of just de?
The verb separar (to separate) pairs with the preposition de to mean "separate from". Because hemisfério is a specific masculine noun, it takes the definite article o. The preposition and article contract to form do (de + o).
In hemisfério norte and hemisfério sul, why do the directions come after the noun?
In this context, the compass directions norte and sul are acting as adjectives defining the specific hemisphere. Like most descriptive adjectives in Portuguese, they follow the noun they modify.
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