Introduction

Relevance of the Topic

Mastering the structure of the verb in the Portuguese language is crucial for understanding and effective communication. Verbs allow us to express actions, states, processes, and phenomena, indicating when they occur and their relationships with time. They are true pillars of the language and, as such, deserve our careful attention. Moreover, understanding primitive and derived verb tenses, the correlation between modes and verb tenses, and the importance of treatment uniformity deepens our ability to express and our overall understanding of Portuguese.

Contextualization

In the Portuguese curriculum, the discussion about verbs is part of the broader unit of morphology, which studies words in their form, structure, and inflections. We have previously learned to classify verbs according to their actions: regular, irregular, defective, and abundant. Now, we take a step further, exploring verb modes and tenses, their correlations, and the need for treatment uniformity in textual construction. These skills not only strengthen our written expression but also enrich our reading and understanding of texts. With this knowledge, we are able to produce and interpret texts at deeper levels, expanding our capacity for interaction and expression in Portuguese.

Theoretical Development

Components

• Verbs: Primitive and Derived Tenses

  • Definition: Primitive tenses are the simplest and most used verbal forms of each verb. These are: the infinitive, the gerund, and the participle. Derived tenses are formed from the conjugation of primitive tenses, adding suffixes, prefixes, or radicals.
  • Infinitive: It is the verb tense that expresses the verb in a more neutral way, without indicating action in a specific time. It can end in -ar, -er, and -ir, which are called personal infinitive, or without ending, which is the impersonal infinitive.
  • Gerund: Indicates ongoing action and is formed by the root of the verb plus the ending -ndo.
  • Participle: Expresses completed action and is formed by the root of the verb plus suffixes, which vary according to the conjugation and the ending of the verb.
  • Importance: Mastery of the primitive and derived tenses of verbs allows us to construct more complex sentences and express temporal nuances that enrich our communication.

• Correlation between Modes, Verb Tenses

  • Definition: Verb modes (indicative, subjunctive, and imperative) determine the way the action expressed by the verb is conceived by the speaker.
  • The Indicative expresses a real, certain, objective action, occurring or occurred at the moment of speaking or writing.
  • The Subjunctive expresses a possible, hypothetical, uncertain action, yet to occur.
  • The Imperative expresses an order, request, or advice.
  • The conditional is a secondary mode and is formed from the future of the past.
  • Importance: Understanding the relationships between modes and verb tenses is crucial for the clarity and precision of our ideas. Each combination of mode and tense signals to the listener or reader the degree of certainty or possibility of the action.

• Treatment Uniformity

  • Definition: Refers to the consistency in the choice of treatment pronouns throughout a text or speech, in respect to the standard language norm.
  • Importance: Treatment uniformity is vital for constructing a comprehensible and respectful message. Breaking this uniformity can create confusion or demonstrate a lack of attention to the text.

Key Terms

• Indicative: One of the three basic forms of the verb, indicates certainty or reality.
• Subjunctive: One of the three basic forms of the verb, indicates uncertainty, desire, or hypothesis.
• Imperative: One of the three basic forms of the verb, indicates an order, request, or desire.
• Treatment Uniformity: Principle of coherence in the use of treatment pronouns throughout a text or speech.

Examples and Cases

• Example of verb conjugation and its primitive and derived tenses:

  • Verb "Speak":
    • Primitive Tenses:
      • Infinitive - Speak
      • Gerund - Speaking
      • Participle - Spoken
    • Derived Tenses:
      • Present Indicative - I speak
      • Present Subjunctive - Speak
      • Imperative Affirmative - Speak
      • Perfect Past Indicative - I spoke
      • Imperfect Past Indicative - I was speaking
      • Pluperfect Past Indicative - I had spoken
      • Future Present Indicative - I will speak
  • Verb "Sell":
    • Primitive Tenses:
      • Infinitive - Sell
      • Gerund - Selling
      • Participle - Sold
    • Derived Tenses:
      • Present Indicative - I sell
      • Present Subjunctive - Sell
      • Imperative Affirmative - Sell
      • Perfect Past Indicative - I sold
      • Imperfect Past Indicative - I was selling
      • Pluperfect Past Indicative - I had sold
      • Future Present Indicative - I will sell

• Example of treatment uniformity:

  • Text using the treatment pronoun "you" uniformly: "You have already done your homework. Now you can rest a bit."

  • Text without treatment uniformity: "You have already done your homework. Now you can rest a bit." Here the treatment pronoun changed from "you" to "you", breaking the uniformity.

Detailed Summary

Relevant Points

• Identification of Primitive and Derived Verb Tenses: This recognition is fundamental for constructing more complex texts and understanding verbs in depth. The precision in selecting the verb tenses to be used in a sentence is directly linked to the understanding that is intended to be conveyed.

• Correlation between Modes and Verb Tenses: Understanding the combination of modes (indicative, subjunctive, imperative, and conditional) and verb tenses (present, past, future, and infinitive) allows the speaker or writer to express their ideas and conceive actions with different degrees of reality, certainty, and uncertainty.

• Principle of Treatment Uniformity: Adherence to the standard language norm, through uniformity in the use of treatment pronouns, is a demonstration of respect for language and the reader. Breaking this uniformity can compromise text comprehension and generate communication noise.

Conclusions

• Complexity and Richness of Verbs in the Portuguese Language: Like chocolates of various flavors, Portuguese verbs present a diversity of forms and functions that, when understood and mastered, allow for rich and precise expressions.

• The Importance of Accuracy in Choosing Verb Tenses: The correct choice of verb tenses in a given context is an essential skill for any speaker or writer, and is directly proportional to their clarity and effectiveness in transmitting ideas and information.

• The Power of Verb Modes in Building Meaning: The ability to choose between different verb modes not only reflects linguistic proficiency but also determines the intention and attitude of the sender regarding the suggested or described action.

• The Relevance of Treatment Uniformity: Adherence to treatment uniformity in writing is a sign of both professional ethics and communicative maturity.

Exercises

1. Identification of Primitive and Derived Tenses: Given a verb, for example "Sing", identify its respective primitive and derived tenses, listing them and explaining their uses.
2. Modes-Times Correlation: Given the sentences "If it rains, we will not go to the beach." and "It rained, therefore we could not go to the beach.", identify the verb mode and tense used in each and discuss the difference in meaning between them.
3. Treatment Uniformity: Write a small text using treatment pronouns and demonstrate what treatment uniformity is in practice. Then, rewrite the same text changing the treatment pronouns to demonstrate the breaking of uniformity and its possible effects.