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.