Scientific discoveries

Scientific Discoveries in Portuguese

Discussing science requires precise vocabulary and specific grammatical structures for describing processes, hypotheses, and results.

Describing Scientific Processes

• *Os cientistas realizaram uma experiência.* — The scientists conducted an experiment.
• *A hipótese foi confirmada pelos resultados.* — The hypothesis was confirmed by the results.
• *A descoberta revolucionou a medicina.* — The discovery revolutionised medicine.

Passive Voice in Scientific Writing

Scientific Portuguese heavily uses the passive:

• *A vacina foi desenvolvida em tempo recorde.* — The vaccine was developed in record time.
• *Os resultados foram publicados numa revista científica.* — The results were published in a scientific journal.

Expressing Cause and Effect

• *Graças a esta descoberta, foi possível curar a doença.* — Thanks to this discovery, it was possible to cure the disease.
• *A investigação levou a um avanço significativo.* — The research led to a significant breakthrough.
• *Devido aos resultados, a teoria foi revista.* — Due to the results, the theory was revised.

Discussing Uncertainty

• *Os dados sugerem que...* — The data suggest that...
• *É provável que a hipótese esteja correta.* — It is likely that the hypothesis is correct.
• *Ainda não se sabe ao certo.* — It is still not known for certain.