Aspectual Flashcards
meaning it helps to convey how an action unfolds over time (13 cards)
Estava a pensar quando ele chegou
Estava a
“I was thinking when he arrived”
What you were doing at a specific moment
Andava a estudar muito nessa altura.
Andava a
“I was studying a lot during that time/period”
What you were doing as an ongoing activity/habit over time
Estou a pensar
Estou a
I am thinking
What you’re doing right this second
.
Ando a estudar muito.
Ando a
I’ve been studying a lot lately (general update about your life)
What you’ve been doing lately/as an ongoing activity
Acabei estudar
Acabar + inf
“to finish doing something” / “to end up doing something”
I finished studying
“O último autocarro acabou de partir”
Acabar + de + inf
Recent past
To have just done something
The last bus has just left
Acaba de comer
“de” = “just”
Just finished eating
“de” transforms the meaning from completion/outcome to immediacy/recent past.
Comecei a estudar ontem.
Começar a + infinitive
I began studying yesterday.
to begin/start doing something.
Ele continua a falar
Continuar a + infinitive
He continues talking.
to continue doing something.
Ela voltou a trabalhar
Voltar a + infinitive
She started working again.
to do something again (literally “to return to doing”).
Passou a viver em Lisboa
Passar a + infinitive
He began living in Lisbon.
Can mean to start to do something (often indicating a change).
Começou por dizer a verdade
Começar por + infinitive (variation)
He began by telling the truth.
to begin by doing something.
Aspectual “de”
= changes how we view the action’s completion/termination
