Breakdown of A loja tem um grande desconto. Queres usá-lo?
ter
to have
um
a / an / some (all forms)
grande
big / large
a loja
the store
querer
to want
usar
to use / to wear
-lo
it / him (m) [-la, -los, -las]
o desconto
the discount
Questions & Answers about A loja tem um grande desconto. Queres usá-lo?
Why is it usá-lo instead of "usar o"?
Since o (meaning "it") attaches to the infinitive verb usar (to use), we have to follow a special spelling rule. When a verb ends in -r, -s, or -z, we drop that final letter and change the pronoun to start with an "l" (so o becomes -lo). Therefore, usar + o becomes usá-lo.
Why does usá-lo have an accent mark on the "a"?
When we drop the -r from an infinitive ending in -ar (like usar) to attach a pronoun, we add an acute accent (á) to keep the spoken stress on that final syllable. Without the accent, the normal pronunciation rules would shift the stress to the wrong part of the word.
What exactly does the -lo refer to here?
The -lo is a direct object pronoun replacing o desconto (the discount). Because desconto is a masculine singular noun, we use the masculine singular pronoun o (which becomes -lo after the verb). If the shop had a feminine noun like a promotion (uma promoção), you would say usá-la.
Why does grande come before desconto? I thought adjectives usually go after the noun.
You are right that most adjectives come after the noun! However, a few common adjectives like grande (big/great) and bom (good) are often placed before the noun. This is especially true when emphasizing the quality, so um grande desconto sounds very natural for a "big discount".
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