Product Description

Portuguese Verbs Explained is a complete and easy-to-follow guide to all kinds of Portuguese verbs, their tenses and constructions, conjugation endings, regular and irregular forms.

Portuguese Verbs Explained is for all students of Portuguese, including the self-taught learner and AE, GCSE, A Level and university classes.

Portuguese Verbs Explained covers equally European and Brazilian Portuguese and combines three books in one:
* a reference book
* a course book
* an aid book on grammatical concepts and terms

Portuguese Verbs Explained describes the Portuguese verbs as used by native speakers around the Portuguese-speaking world. It can be used either as a reference tool or a course of study and is also a study aid on grammatical notions and terminology.

It is suitable for
* absolute beginners and those who want to brush up and advance their Portuguese
* learners with basic or no knowledge of grammatical terminology
* the independent learner, Adult Education classes, GCSE, A Level and university courses
* teachers and practitioners such as translators and interpreters
* learners of the Portuguese language on both sides of the Atlantic and anywhere else where it may be spoken

This book provides
* a complete guide to all kinds of Portuguese verbs, their tenses and forms, covering both regular and special verbs (irregular, root-changing, spelling-changing, and other cases)
* a complete guide to using Portuguese verbs in a sentence
* tables and charts for quick reference on all the different kinds of verbs

In this book Portuguese verbs are described in plain language and illustrated with authentic examples of everyday practical application. Detailed information is given on how the whole Portuguese verb system works. Throughout, comparisons are drawn between Portuguese and English verb tenses and usage, highlighting their parallel and contrasting features in the different forms for the present, past and future, as well as other aspects.

The following features are also included to give learners extra support and make their learning a more enjoyable and rewarding experience:
* a glossary of grammatical terms providing clear definitions in simple English
* English translation of the Portuguese examples
* complementary notes and ‘learning aid’ paragraphs giving tips and avoiding pitfalls
* exercises including puzzles and quizzes
* answers for all the exercises
* Portuguese-English vocabulary containing the verbs used in the examples and the exercises
* an extensive cross-reference index at the end of the book with usage-led entries for those who are not familiar with grammatical terms

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #242684 in Books
• Published on: 2004-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Customer Reviews

A breakthrough in the teaching of Portuguese verbs
I am a student. When I started learning Portuguese I found its verbs daunting. There were lots of tenses to learn and I was not too sure how to use some of them. Thanks to this book, I now find Portuguese verbs quite easy to master.

In my view, Portuguese Verbs Explained is a groundbreaker in three ways.

First, This book explains systematically how each tense is formed and how to get from one tense to another. Each new tense you learn requires just a small effort because you can use as a basis a previous one you already know; you build up on it.

Secondly, you are given insight into how the Portuguese verb system works, how the different tenses interact for meaning. Once you get into the system it all makes sense and effort becomes minimal, also because you realise that only a handful of tenses are actually used in everyday communication.

Thirdly, the teaching of the verb forms for 'you' (second person) is brilliant in this book. The two sets are dealt with separately, the original tu-vos and the more recent voce-voces, and you are shown what is actually used in modern Portuguese.

This book truthfully explains the Portuguese verbs inside out. It is a major advance in the teaching of Portuguese grammar, specifically verbs. I am very happy with the book and would like to recommend it to anyone who wants to learn Portuguese.

Very good
I am learning Portuguese and by chance have come across this book. Verbs were my 'gremlins' but I think this book is going to do the trick.

What I like the most about this verbs book is that it guides the reader gently through the different verb forms and how they work in a sentence. Everything is translated into English, which helps a lot. I am moving happily step by step. I am actualy enjoying verbs! I am quite impressed with the book and want to share my 'discovery' with all of you out there who like me shy away from verbs. If you find verbs a daunting matter then you may find out this book is right for you. It is for me.

Thanks for the layman terms
You don't have to know grammar to follow this verbs book. It explains everything very clearly in layman terms even I can understand. As a matter of fact, this is verbs made easy. As you learn the Portuguese verbs you also learn grammar. You learn what a 'person' is, a 'tense', a 'subjunctive', a 'mood' and so on. I feel this book has taught me more than Portuguese verbs. It has taught me English verbs too. I have now a grammatical understanding of English verbs. The frequent comparisons between the two languages is something that also helps a great deal. This is a top grammar on verbs at the easy reach of everyone. This sums up how I feel about this book and why I would like to recommend it to anyone interested in Portuguese verbs or verbs in general, in understanding how verbs work as a system.