Question 1

Why do we use afinarem here instead of the normal present tense afinam?

Accepted Answer

The phrase antes de (before) ends with a preposition (de). In Portuguese, verbs that follow a preposition usually need to be in the infinitive form, not the present tense. However, because we need to show exactly who is doing the tuning (vocês), we use the Personal Infinitive. We take the base verb afinar and add the plural ending -em.

Question 2

Since the regular infinitive is afinar, could I just say antes de vocês afinar?

Accepted Answer

You could, but it sounds much less natural. In European Portuguese, whenever the person doing the action changes mid-sentence (here, it changes from the conductor to you all), it is strongly preferred to use the Personal Infinitive (afinarem). This helps make the new subject perfectly clear.

Question 3

Could I drop the word vocês completely from this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Because the verb is conjugated as afinarem, the -em ending already tells us the subject is a plural group (they or you all). If it is already clear from the conversation who is being spoken to, saying antes de afinarem os violinos is perfectly natural and common.

Question 4

I see antes de means "before". Do I always need to include the de?

Accepted Answer

You need de when you are connecting "before" to another action or a noun, such as "before you tune" (antes de vocês afinarem) or "before dinner" (antes do jantar). If you simply want to say "The conductor arrives earlier" or "beforehand," without saying before what, you drop the de and just say O maestro chega antes.

O maestro chega antes de vocês afinarem os violinos.

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