They exist four different types of "whys" in the Portuguese language. Each type performs miscellaneous grammatical functions. The spelling of the expression varies according to the context in which it is used:
- Why: in questions or to refer to something.
- Why: at the end of sentences, followed by a question mark or the end.
- Why: in answers or explanations.
- Why: as a noun, indicating motive or reason.
The correct use of "whys" is a common question among Portuguese speakers. Next, we'll cover the four shapes, when to use each one, and how to replace them.
"Why"
The term "porque", separated and without an accent, can have a function interrogative, that is, to ask direct questions, or relative, to establish a relationship with a previous term of the sentence.
"why" interrogative
The interrogative "why" is used to start a question. It is formed by joining the preposition "por" with the interrogative pronoun "que".
Examples:
- Because you're sad?
- Why did Juliana decide to travel?
- Why didn't he attend the meeting?
Replacement of interrogative "why":
- Why are you sad?
- Why did Juliana decide to travel?
- Why did he not attend the meeting?
"why" relative
Lays down link to previous terms of the phrase. It is formed by the preposition "por" and the relative pronoun "que".
Examples:
- The street I passed.
- I don't know why Geraldo left.
Relative "why" replacement:
- The street in which passed.
- I don't know the reason by which Gerald left.
Why
The "porqué" (separated and with an accent) is used in interrogations, ever at the end of the sentence, followed by a question mark or period. It is formed by the preposition "por" and the tonic interrogative pronoun "que".
Examples of "why":
- You didn't come to the party, why?
- Teresa knows why.
- Are you tired? Why?
Replacement of "why":
- You didn't come to the party, in which reason?
- Tereza knows in which reason.
- Are you tired? In which reason?
Why
It is used in answers is at explanations. It is a causal or explanatory subordinating conjunction, that is, it determines the cause or explanation of something.
Examples of "why":
- I was unable to attend the meeting because I was sick.
- She is smiling because she got great news.
- We couldn't make it in time because there was a traffic jam.
Replacement of "because":
- I could not attend the meeting then was sick.
- Gabriel is smiling since received great news.
- We couldn't make it in time since there was a traffic jam.
Why
The "why" is a substantive used to indicate the reason, cause or reason of something. It almost always appears accompanied by a article (the, the, one, ones), pronoun or numeral.
Examples of "why":
- The manager investigated why so many customer complaints.
- I didn't understand why he overreacted.
- Paulo is curious to discover the reason for so much delay.
Replacement of "why":
- The manager investigated the reason of so many customer complaints.
- I did not understand reason your overreaction.
- Paulo is curious to discover the cause of so much delay.
Bibliography:
- BECHARA, Evanildo. School Grammar of the Portuguese Language. Rio de Janeiro: Lucerne, 2009.
- CUNHA, Celso; CINTRA, Lindley. New grammar of contemporary Portuguese. Rio de Janeiro, Lexikon, 2013.
See too:
- Pronoun
- Adjective
- examples of adjectives
- Preposition
- Conjunction
