Article it is the word that comes before the noun with the intention of particularizing or indefinite the name. As a grammatical class, it has little demonstrative semantic value as it has a delimited function in the Portuguese language, playing the role of an adjunct to nouns. It can be classified as definite or indefinite.
Despite having a delimited function, the article can cause significant differences in meaning in a sentence. Note the following structures:
After a long discussion, deputies proposed an agreement.
After a long discussion, deputies proposed the agreement.
The two sentences, despite having a similar structure, could only be used in different contexts. The first structure could only be used if the interlocutor of the speaker did not know what the agreement is about, since the article a, in this construction, is indefinite the noun. In the second construction, it is clear that the interlocutor knows in advance the agreement being spoken of, since the article O particularizes the name.
As a grammatical class, the article is divided into two groups:
→ defined articles: The the the the;
→ undefined articles: one, one, some, some.
The article can be dispensed with when another identifier – bearing in mind that the articles are adnominal adjuncts – is explicit in a sentence. For example:
That one man took my borrowed book.
Note that the demonstrative pronoun that one is replacing the use of the article. Note also that the possessive pronoun my makes the use of the definite article unnecessary O, since in Portuguese, the use of the article O in "my book" it is redundant, although it is very common in writing and speaking.
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Another important function can be attributed to the article: the substantive function. It will occur when the article is associated with any other type of word, thus, it will play the role of a noun.
Between the to want it's the powerthere is a long way.
In the previous sentence, the words to want and power they belong to the grammatical class of verbs, but in this case they function as nouns, as they are preceded by articles.
They can also be combined with some prepositions, thus forming a single word:
Employees joined à defended stoppage fur Syndicate.
↓ ↑
a+a (preposition + article)per/for+os (preposition + article)
In addition to defining or indefinite the noun, the article can also indicate its gender (female/male) and number (singular/plural).
the car (masculine and singular noun)
the phone call (singular masculine noun)
a radio (feminine and singular noun)
the cars (masculine and plural nouns)
In summary: the article comes before the noun to determine or particularize it. They can be defined or indefinite and among their various functions, there is the noun, which happens when the article assumes the role of noun in a sentence. You learned what the article is and its different uses. It may sound complicated, but remember that, as speakers of the language, we have mastered it, so just be aware and follow the grammatical rules.
By Luana Castro
Graduated in Letters
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
PEREZ, Luana Castro Alves. "What is an article?"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/o-que-e/portugues/o-que-e-artigo.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
