Elevated language
Vocabulary
- doravantehenceforth / from now on
- outrossimfurthermore / moreover
- porquantoinasmuch as / since
- mormenteespecially / chiefly
- consoanteaccording to / depending
- destartethus / in this way
- não obstantenotwithstanding
- ademaisbesides / in addition
- amiúdefrequently / often
- deverastruly / indeed
Literary Inversions
In elevated Portuguese, subject-verb inversion creates a refined, literary tone. This is common after certain adverbs and in formal writing.
Raras vezes se viu tamanha eloquência. — Rarely was such eloquence seen.
Assim sendo, procedeu-se à votação. — This being so, the vote was carried out.
The Future Compound Subjunctive
The conjuntivo futuro composto (tiver + past participle) expresses a completed future condition. It is distinctive to Portuguese and virtually absent from other Romance languages.
Quando tivermos terminado, partiremos. — When we have finished, we shall leave.
Se tiver sido aprovado, receberá a notificação. — If it has been approved, you will receive the notification.
Archaisms in Context
Certain archaic connectors survive in legal, academic, and literary Portuguese: doravante, outrossim, porquanto, destarte. Mastering them signals genuine command of the elevated register.
Doravante, as reuniões terão lugar às terças. — Henceforth, meetings shall take place on Tuesdays.
Outrossim, importa salientar... — Furthermore, it is important to emphasise...
Expressions
- Raras vezes se viu tal situaçãoLiterary inversion for emphasis
- Quando tivermos concluído o processoFuture compound subjunctive in clauses
- Doravante, ficam revogadas as normasHenceforth, the rules are hereby revoked
- Outrossim, cumpre referir que...Furthermore, it should be noted that...
- Não obstante as dificuldadesNotwithstanding the difficulties
- Destarte, proceder-se-á à análiseThus, the analysis will be carried out
Common mistakes
Raras vezes viu-seRaras vezes se viuAfter negative/restrictive adverbs, the clitic precedes the verb
Quando termos terminadoQuando tivermos terminadoFuture subjunctive of ter is tiver, not ter
Não obstante de as dificuldadesNão obstante as dificuldadesNão obstante takes a direct object, no preposition
Doravante, a partir de agora, todos os relatórios serão mensais.Doravante, todos os relatórios serão mensais.Doravante already means 'from now on'; pairing it with 'a partir de agora' is redundant.
Quick quiz
Question 1 of 5
How do you say “besides / in addition” in Portuguese?
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