The pronoun “if”, among other functions, serves to indeterminate the subject. The indeterminate subject is the type of subject that one does not want or cannot identify, which can happen in two ways:
1) in the presence of a verb (in the 3rd person singular) that is intransitive, indirect transitive or connecting, accompanied by the pronoun "if":
- Got up earlier than other days.
- Complain about everything.
- One is more and more worried.
2) in the presence of verbs in the 3rd person plural:
- They got up earlier than the other days.
- They complain about everything.
- They are increasingly worried.
It is worth remembering that the indeterminate subject does not refer to a subject that has already been mentioned previously, because in this case, the subject would be hidden
Ana and Marta are very negative. They complain about everything. (hidden subject = (They - Ana and Marta) complain about everything).
With regard to meaning, the main difference between the two forms of indeterminate subject is that the person that “speaks” is not included in the speech “Complain about everything.”, but may be included in the speech “Complain about everything."
Difference between subject's indeterminacy index and passive particle
To differentiate the subject's indeterminacy index from the passive particle, it is necessary to pay attention to the verb that is present in the clause. Only when it is direct transitive or direct and indirect transitive will the "if" be passivating particle.
The “if” of the subject's indeterminacy index is accompanied by an intransitive, indirect transitive or linking verb.
Don't make any more mistakes!
| IndexinindeterminacyofSubject | if + intransitive verb, indirect transitive verb or linking verb. |
|---|---|
| ParticlePassive | if + direct transitive verb or direct and indirect transitive verb. |
Verbal agreement with the pronoun "if"
Faced with the case of a indeterminate subject, the verbs must be conjugated in the 3rd person singular:
- There is a lot of talk about new technologies.
- People with attitude are needed.
- You trust people.
In the case of passive voice, the verbs must be conjugated according to the subject of the sentence:
- The cake was eaten.
- The cake and the brigadeiros were eaten.
- The paper was spoiled.
- The paper and inks were ruined.
For you to understand better:
- Subject
- Indeterminate Subject
- types of subject
- Exercises on types of subject with feedback
Exercises with the pronoun "if"
1) Rate in Subject Indeterminacy Index (IIS) or Particle Passive (PA).
a) You love your children unconditionally.
b) And when the time comes, you die.
c) Office for rent.
d) They were not content with defeat.
e) The information we receive is believed.
a) PA
b) IIS
c) PA
d) IIS
e) IIS
2) Correct the prayers below if necessary.
a) Sewing machines are repaired.
b) Offices for rent.
c) We were healthy.
d) Talk to each other every day.
e) All weddings were announced in the same afternoon.
a) Sewing machines are repaired.
e) The weddings were all announced in the same afternoon.
Learn more about the "if" functions.