The Core Idea
Portuguese uses three major non-finite verb forms: infinitive, gerund, and participle. They help build periphrases, noun-like structures, and reduced clauses.
These forms connect the whole verb system. Once they are clear, aspect, passive voice, and reduced clauses become much easier to understand.
Structure Snapshot
- infinitive / gerund / participle
Main Rules at a Glance
| Step | Rule |
|---|---|
| Rule 1 | The infinitive names the action or combines with auxiliaries and prepositions: "estudar", "para estudar". |
| Rule 2 | The gerund often expresses ongoing process or accompanying action: "estou trabalhando", "falando sério". |
| Rule 3 | The participle often appears in compound tenses, passive forms, and result states: "feito", "aberto", "resolvido". |
| Rule 4 | These forms do not show full person agreement like finite verbs do. |
How It Works
- The infinitive names the action or combines with auxiliaries and prepositions: "estudar", "para estudar".
- The gerund often expresses ongoing process or accompanying action: "estou trabalhando", "falando sério".
- The participle often appears in compound tenses, passive forms, and result states: "feito", "aberto", "resolvido".
- These forms do not show full person agreement like finite verbs do.
Usage and Register
- The personal infinitive is a later step and gets its own lesson.
This is a partial preview of the article.
Related topics
Unlock the full explanation and all practice exercises for this B1 lesson.
Join Falando to access grammar from all CEFR levels.