What Are Connectives in Portuguese?
Connectives, also known as linking words or conjunctions, are words or phrases that connect clauses, sentences, or paragraphs. They play a crucial role in structuring your speech and writing, showing relationships such as addition, contrast, cause, and effect. In Portuguese, just like in English, using a variety of connectives helps make your language richer and your communication more effective.
Understanding “além disso”
Meaning and Translation
“Além disso” is a connective that means “besides that,” “in addition,” or “furthermore.” It is used to add information, emphasizing that something extra or additional is being included.
How to Use “além disso” in a Sentence
“Além disso” is typically used at the beginning of a sentence or clause, much like “furthermore” or “in addition” in English. It connects two ideas, showing that the second idea provides more information or supports the first.
Example:
Eu gosto de viajar. Além disso, adoro aprender novas línguas.
(I like to travel. In addition, I love learning new languages.)
This structure helps your statements flow naturally, especially in more formal writing or when presenting arguments.
Other Common Phrases Similar to “além disso”
– Além do mais (Moreover)
– Ainda por cima (On top of that)
– Também (Also)
Using these alternatives can add variety to your speech and writing, making your Portuguese sound more native.
Understanding “no entanto”
Meaning and Translation
“No entanto” translates to “however,” “nevertheless,” or “nonetheless.” It is used to introduce a contrast or an exception to the previous statement.
How to Use “no entanto” in a Sentence
“No entanto” is usually placed at the beginning of a clause or sentence. It signals that what follows will contrast with or differ from what was previously mentioned.
Example:
Estudei muito para o exame. No entanto, não consegui uma boa nota.
(I studied hard for the exam. However, I didn’t get a good grade.)
This connective is particularly useful when writing essays, making arguments, or discussing pros and cons.
Other Common Phrases Similar to “no entanto”
– Contudo (However)
– Todavia (Nevertheless)
– Apesar disso (Despite that)
These alternatives can be used interchangeably in many contexts, depending on the level of formality.
Tips for Using “além disso” and “no entanto” Effectively
- Practice using these connectives in both speaking and writing to make your sentences more complex and meaningful.
- Listen to native Portuguese speakers, such as in podcasts or videos, to hear how they naturally use connectives like “além disso” and “no entanto.”
- When writing essays or emails, try to include at least one connective per paragraph to help your ideas flow logically.
- Don’t overuse the same connective. Mix in alternatives to keep your language diverse and interesting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid using “além disso” and “no entanto” in the same sentence, as they have opposite functions (addition vs. contrast).
- Do not use “além disso” to introduce a contrasting idea, or “no entanto” to introduce additional information.
- Ensure that the clauses or sentences connected by these words make logical sense together.
Practice Exercises
Try rewriting the following sentences using “além disso” and “no entanto”:
- Maria trabalha muito. Ela também estuda à noite.
- O filme era interessante. Eu, porém, achei o final confuso.
Answers:
- Maria trabalha muito. Além disso, ela estuda à noite.
- O filme era interessante. No entanto, achei o final confuso.
Conclusion
Using connectives like “além disso” and “no entanto” is a powerful way to advance your Portuguese skills and make your communication more polished. These words help you add detail, contrast ideas, and create more engaging conversations or written texts. Remember to practice regularly—whether with a language partner, through apps like Talkpal, or in your own writing—and soon you’ll be using these connectives naturally. For more tips on mastering Portuguese, keep exploring the Talkpal AI language learning blog!
