Orações reduzidas
Orações reduzidas means “A subordinate clause condensed with a non-finite verb (infinitive, gerund, or participle) instead of a conjunction + finite verb”. Reduced clauses (orações reduzidas) compress a subordinate clause by using a non-finite verb form instead of a conjunction plus a conjugated verb. Formation: [Ao / Por / Apesar de + infinitivo] · [verbo-ndo (gerúndio)] · [verbo-do (particípio)] — em vez de conjunção + verbo finito
A subordinate clause condensed with a non-finite verb (infinitive, gerund, or participle) instead of a conjunction + finite verb
C1Formation
[Ao / Por / Apesar de + infinitivo] · [verbo-ndo (gerúndio)] · [verbo-do (particípio)] — em vez de conjunção + verbo finito
Explanation
Reduced clauses (orações reduzidas) compress a subordinate clause by using a non-finite verb form instead of a conjunction plus a conjugated verb. Portuguese has three types: reduced infinitive (Ao chegar, liguei = Quando cheguei; Por ser tarde = Porque era tarde; Apesar de estar cansado), reduced gerund (Chegando em casa, tomei banho; Sendo assim, concordo), and reduced participle (Terminada a reunião, todos saíram; Feito o pagamento). They typically express adverbial ideas of time, cause, condition, or concession, and can also condense adjective clauses. Because they drop the conjunction, the exact relation is inferred from context, which gives them a compact, elegant tone prized in writing. When the infinitive has its own subject, use the personal infinitive: 'Ao saírem, apaguem a luz.' Spanish, Italian, and French share the same absolute constructions (al llegar / terminata la riunione / en arrivant), so the pattern transfers well for speakers of those languages.
Examples
Note
The gerund reduced clause can be ambiguous: 'Vi o menino correndo' may mean 'while I was running' or 'while he was running.' Prefer the full clause when clarity is essential.
FAQ
Orações reduzidas — what does it mean and how is it used?
A subordinate clause condensed with a non-finite verb (infinitive, gerund, or participle) instead of a conjunction + finite verb. Reduced clauses (orações reduzidas) compress a subordinate clause by using a non-finite verb form instead of a conjunction plus a conjugated verb. Portuguese has three types: reduced infinitive (Ao chegar, liguei = Quando cheguei; Por ser tarde = Porque era tarde; Apesar de estar cansado), reduced gerund (Chegando em casa, tomei banho; Sendo assim, concordo), and reduced participle (Terminada a reunião, todos saíram; Feito o pagamento). They typically express adverbial ideas of time, cause, condition, or concession, and can also condense adjective clauses. Because they drop the conjunction, the exact relation is inferred from context, which gives them a compact, elegant tone prized in writing. When the infinitive has its own subject, use the personal infinitive: 'Ao saírem, apaguem a luz.' Spanish, Italian, and French share the same absolute constructions (al llegar / terminata la riunione / en arrivant), so the pattern transfers well for speakers of those languages.
Orações reduzidas — how do you form it?
[Ao / Por / Apesar de + infinitivo] · [verbo-ndo (gerúndio)] · [verbo-do (particípio)] — em vez de conjunção + verbo finito
Orações reduzidas — any usage notes?
The gerund reduced clause can be ambiguous: 'Vi o menino correndo' may mean 'while I was running' or 'while he was running.' Prefer the full clause when clarity is essential.