Question 1

Why do we use the infinitive testar here instead of a conjugated verb like "testas"?

Accepted Answer

After the phrases antes de (before) or depois de (after), Portuguese uses the infinitive form of the verb (the dictionary form) when the person doing the action is the same in both parts of the sentence. Since "you" are doing both the checking and the testing, we just use the infinitive testar (to test).

Question 2

Why is the word testá-lo instead of testar o?

Accepted Answer

When a verb ends in -r, -s, or -z and is directly followed by the pronouns o, a, os, or as (meaning it, him, her, or them), we drop that final letter and change the pronoun to start with an l (lo, la, los, las). So, testar + o becomes testa + lo.

Question 3

Why is there an accent mark on testá-lo?

Accepted Answer

When we drop the -r from an -ar verb like testar to attach a pronoun, the spoken stress of the word stays exactly the same. To show that the emphasis remains strongly on that last a, Portuguese spelling rules require us to add an acute accent, making it testá-lo.

Question 4

I've heard people say tens que before. Why does this sentence use tens de?

Accepted Answer

Both expressions mean "you have to" or "you must". In European Portuguese, ter de is the standard, most grammatically correct way to express a duty or obligation. You will definitely hear ter que in casual everyday speech, but ter de is the safest version to learn and use.

Tens de verificar o material antes de testá-lo.

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