Particípio Pass

In Portuguese, the participle works in pairs.

You usually use a helping verb first.

These are verbs like ter or haver.

Then, you add the past participle form.

Together, they create a compound tense.

At the C1 level, we focus on nuances.

You use it to build hypothetical scenarios.

It acts as both a verb and adjective.

Sometimes it changes to match the subject.

Other times, it remains totally frozen.

It depends on the auxiliary verb you choose.

Think of it like a grammar team.

One verb carries the time and person.

The participle carries the main action.

1. 1Identify the infinitive verb category.
2. 2For -ar verbs, remove the ending.
3. 3Add the suffix -ado to the root.
4. 4For -er and -ir verbs, do same.
5. 5Add the suffix -ido to the root.
6. 6For irregulars, forget these simple rules.
7. 7Memorize verbs like ver becoming visto.
8. 8Note 'abundant verbs' with two forms.
9. 9Regular forms end in -ado or -ido.
10. 10Irregular forms are shorter and unique.
11. 11Ter and haver love regular forms.
12. 12Ser and estar prefer irregular forms.

Use it for the Pretérito Mais-que-perfeito.

This expresses an action before another past.

Use it in conditional 'if' clauses.

"If I had known" requires a participle.

It is vital for the passive voice.

"The book was written" uses escrito.

Use it to describe a current state.

"The door is closed" uses fechada.

It is perfect for professional job interviews.

You can describe your past achievements.

Use it when ordering food in restaurants.

"I would have preferred the steak."

It adds a layer of sophistication.

Do not use it for ongoing actions.

Use the gerund for things happening now.

Avoid it in simple past declarations.

Eu comi is better than Eu tenho comido.

Don't use it without a helping verb.

Unless it is acting as an adjective.

Do not confuse it with personal infinitives.

Those have different endings and logic.

Avoid using the short form with ter.

Usually, tinha limpado is the correct way.

Using the wrong form sounds very unnatural.

It might confuse your Portuguese friends.

Keep it simple when you are unsure.

Many learners say tinha chegue by mistake.

Chegar is always regular with ter.

The correct phrase is tinha chegado.

Don't use fazido for the verb fazer.

The only correct form is feito.

Native speakers might giggle at fazido.

Another trap is matching genders incorrectly.

With ter, the participle never changes.

It is always masculine and singular.

Ela tinha falado, not Ela tinha falada.

Only change gender when using ser.

Or when the participle is an adjective.

Compare the participle to the gerund form.

The participle focuses on the final result.

The gerund focuses on the active process.

O carro está consertado means it's fixed.

O mecânico está consertando means he's working.

Contrast it with the simple past tense.

The simple past is a quick snapshot.

The compound past feels more continuous.

Eu vi is just "I saw".

Eu tenho visto means "I've been seeing".

One is a point, one is a line.

Choose the line for more advanced context.