B1Lesson 4: Relative Clauses & Complex Sentences
Restrictive clauses provide essential information to identify which specific person/thing is meant (no commas), while non-restrictive clauses add extra, non-essential information (with commas), though Brazilian Portuguese often ignores these distinctions in speech.
Restrictive = essential to identify (no commas)
Non-restrictive = extra information (with commas)
Changes meaning: "Os alunos que estudaram passaram" vs. "Os alunos, que estudaram, passaram"
Portuguese uses commas less than English
Speech ignores distinction often
Formal writing maintains difference
"Que" most common in both types
Pause indicates non-restrictive in speech
Commas change everything! "Os funcionários que trabalham aos sábados ganham extra" (only Saturday workers get extra) vs. "Os funcionários, que trabalham aos sábados, ganham extra" (all employees work Saturdays and get extra). This distinction can affect contracts, instructions, and legal documents. While Brazilians often ignore it in casual speech, knowing the difference prevents costly misunderstandings and shows professional competence!
restrictive: antecedent + que + essential info OR non-restrictive: antecedent + , que + extra info ,
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Essential to identify WHICH ONE
Cannot be removed without changing meaning
NO commas
Answers: "Which specific one?"
Adds extra information
Can be removed; sentence still makes sense
WITH commas
"Os alunos que estudaram passaram no exame" (Only those who studied passed)
"Preciso do documento que você mencionou" (The specific document you mentioned)
"As empresas que investem em tecnologia crescem mais" (Only tech-investing companies)
"Quero conhecer a pessoa que fez isso" (The specific person who did this)
"Meu irmão**, que mora em Londres,** vem nos visitar" (My brother, who happens to live in London)
"O diretor**, que chegou atrasado,** pediu desculpas" (The director, who happened to be late)
"As rosas**, que são minhas flores favoritas,** estão caras" (Roses, which are my favorite)
"Ana**, que fala alemão,** foi escolhida" (Ana, who happens to speak German)
Can be either:
"O presidente Obama que governou..." (which president Obama)
"O presidente Obama, que governou..." (the president Obama, who...)
"Meu irmão que mora longe" (I have several brothers)
"Meu irmão, que mora longe," (I have one brother)
Spoken Portuguese rarely distinguishes:
Pauses inconsistent
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