Decoding Verb Agreement Errors A Deep Dive Into Portuguese Grammar

Hey there, grammar enthusiasts! Today, we're diving deep into the fascinating world of verb agreement in Portuguese, specifically focusing on the verb "ser" (to be). We'll dissect a tricky question that tests your understanding of this fundamental grammatical concept. So, buckle up and let's embark on this linguistic journey together!

The Concordância Conundrum: Spotting the Grammatical Glitch

Our mission, should we choose to accept it (and we definitely do!), is to identify the sentence with an error in verb agreement concerning the verb "ser." Here's the sentence that contains the grammatical error:

(C) Creio que eram nestas horas que eles deviam mostrar seu altruísmo.

But why is this sentence grammatically flawed? Let's break it down and understand the intricacies of verb agreement with "ser." Guys, this part is super important, so pay close attention!

Unraveling the Error: Subject-Verb Agreement with "Ser"

The crux of the matter lies in the subject-verb agreement. In Portuguese, the verb must agree in number and person with its subject. Now, let's analyze sentence (C) closely. The verb form "eram" (were) is the third-person plural past tense of "ser." The tricky part here is identifying the actual subject of this verb. Many might mistakenly assume that "nestas horas" (at these hours) is the subject, leading them to believe that the plural verb form "eram" is correct. However, the actual subject is the implied idea or situation, which is singular. Think of it as saying, "I believe it was during these hours..."

To illustrate this further, consider a grammatically correct alternative: "Creio que era nesta hora que eles deviam mostrar seu altruísmo" (I believe it was during this hour that they should have shown their altruism). Here, the verb "era" (was), the third-person singular past tense of "ser," correctly agrees with the singular implied subject. The original sentence makes it sound like "the hours" themselves are the subject performing some action, which doesn't quite make sense in this context.

Key Takeaway: When "ser" expresses time, hour, date, or distance, it agrees with the numerical expression. However, in sentence (C), "eram" incorrectly tries to agree with "nestas horas," while the actual subject is the singular implied situation.

Deconstructing the Distractors: Why the Other Options Are Correct

Now that we've pinpointed the error, let's examine why the other sentences are grammatically sound. This will solidify your understanding of verb agreement with "ser" and help you avoid similar traps in the future. Let's dissect each option:

(A) Já são horas de dormir, meu filho. (It's already bedtime, my son.)

In this sentence, "são" (are) is the third-person plural present tense of "ser," and it correctly agrees with the plural subject "horas" (hours). The sentence expresses the time, and "ser" agrees with the numerical expression. Think of it as saying, "The hours are already here for sleeping."

Why it's correct: The verb "são" agrees with the plural subject "horas," indicating the time. This sentence follows the rule that when "ser" expresses time, it agrees with the number of hours.

(B) Neste exato momento, são oito horas. (At this exact moment, it is eight o'clock.)

Similar to option (A), "são" (are) agrees with the plural "oito horas" (eight hours). The sentence states the time, and the verb "ser" aligns perfectly with the numerical expression. It's a straightforward example of correct verb agreement when expressing time.

Why it's correct: Again, "são" agrees with "oito horas," correctly indicating the time. The rule of agreement with numerical expressions when stating time is followed here.

(D) Daqui a São Paulo são 500 quilômetros. (It is 500 kilometers from here to São Paulo.)

Here, "são" (are) agrees with the plural "500 quilômetros" (500 kilometers). The sentence expresses a distance, and the verb "ser" correctly agrees with the numerical value. This reinforces the principle that "ser" agrees with the numerical expression when indicating distance.

Why it's correct: The verb "são" aligns with the plural "500 quilômetros," expressing distance correctly. This follows the rule that "ser" agrees with the numerical value when indicating distances.

Key Takeaway: Options (A), (B), and (D) all demonstrate correct verb agreement with "ser" when expressing time or distance. The verb consistently agrees with the numerical expression, be it hours or kilometers.

Mastering Verb Agreement: Essential Rules and Tips

Now that we've dissected the question and analyzed each option, let's solidify your understanding of verb agreement with "ser" by outlining some essential rules and tips. Think of these as your verb agreement survival kit!

Rule #1: "Ser" and Time

When "ser" indicates time, it agrees with the number of hours. For instance:

• É uma hora. (It is one o'clock.)
• São duas horas. (It is two o'clock.)
• Já é meio-dia. (It's already noon.)
• Já são cinco da tarde. (It's already five in the afternoon.)

Notice how the verb form changes to match the number of hours. This is a fundamental rule to remember when dealing with time expressions.

Rule #2: "Ser" and Distance

Similar to time, when "ser" indicates distance, it agrees with the numerical value. For example:

• É um quilômetro daqui. (It is one kilometer from here.)
• São dez quilômetros até a praia. (It is ten kilometers to the beach.)
• Daqui até a cidade são poucos metros. (It's just a few meters from here to the city.)

The verb form adjusts to align with the distance expressed in kilometers or meters.

Rule #3: "Ser" and the Impersonal "É"

"Ser" can also be used impersonally with "é" (is). In these cases, the subject is often an implied situation or idea, as we saw in the incorrect sentence (C). This is where things can get a bit trickier. Consider these examples:

• É importante estudar. (It is important to study.)
• Era necessário chegar cedo. (It was necessary to arrive early.)
• É proibido fumar. (Smoking is prohibited.)

In these sentences, "é" remains in the singular form because it refers to a general situation or idea, not a specific noun.

Pro Tip: When in doubt, try rephrasing the sentence to identify the true subject. This can help you determine the correct verb form.

Rule #4: "Ser" with Pronouns

When "ser" is used with pronouns, it must agree with the pronoun in number and person. This is a basic rule of verb conjugation in Portuguese.

• Eu sou (I am)
• Tu és (You are - informal)
• Ele/Ela é (He/She is)
• Nós somos (We are)
• Vós sois (You are - formal plural)
• Eles/Elas são (They are)

Make sure you're familiar with these basic conjugations to avoid errors in pronoun-verb agreement.

Practice Makes Perfect: Sharpening Your Verb Agreement Skills

Like any grammatical concept, mastering verb agreement requires practice. The more you expose yourself to Portuguese and actively analyze sentences, the better you'll become at spotting errors and applying the rules correctly. So, guys, keep practicing!

Exercise Time: Put Your Knowledge to the Test

Let's put your newfound knowledge to the test with a quick exercise. Identify the sentence with incorrect verb agreement:

1. Já é tarde para ir ao cinema. (It's already late to go to the movies.)
2. São 10 horas da noite. (It's 10 o'clock at night.)
3. Eram muitas pessoas na festa. (There were many people at the party.)
4. É muito bom te ver. (It's very good to see you.)

Can you spot the error? (The answer is coming up, so don't peek!)

The Answer Revealed

The sentence with incorrect verb agreement is: 3. Eram muitas pessoas na festa.

Why? Because the verb "eram" (were) is trying to agree with "muitas pessoas" (many people), but the sentence uses the impersonal construction. The correct sentence should be: Havia muitas pessoas na festa. (There were many people at the party.) or Era muita gente na festa. Here “era” refers to the impersonal construction that describe the singular subject of the sentence “gente” which means “people”, but this word is singular. The verb “Havia” fits the context because is describing the existence of many people in a place using the impersonal form. The word “Havia” comes from “haver” which in this case means “there to be”.

How did you do? Don't worry if you missed it – the key is to learn from your mistakes and keep practicing.

Conclusion: Verb Agreement Victory!

Congratulations, grammar gladiators! You've successfully navigated the intricacies of verb agreement with "ser" in Portuguese. We've dissected a tricky question, analyzed correct and incorrect examples, and armed ourselves with essential rules and tips. Remember, mastering verb agreement is crucial for clear and effective communication in Portuguese. So, keep honing your skills, embrace the challenges, and you'll be speaking and writing like a pro in no time!

Remember guys, grammar might seem daunting at first, but with consistent effort and a dash of enthusiasm, you can conquer any linguistic challenge. Keep exploring the nuances of Portuguese, and you'll unlock a whole new world of communication and expression.